3 


NELLIE  BROWN 


OR 


THE  JEALOUS  WIFE, 


WITH— 


OTHEK    SKETCHES, 


WRITTEN    AND    PUBLISHED    BY 


I>ETTJER,9 

OF   ELKO,  NEVADA. 


This  work  is  perfectly  chaste  and  moral  in  every  particular. 


SAX    FKAXCISCO: 

CUDDY  &  HUGHES,  PRJNTERS,  511   SANSOME  STREET. 

1871. 


s- 


7. 


NELLIE  BROWN 


— OR — 


THE  JEALOUS  WIFE, 


-WITH — 


OTHER   SKETCHES, 

WRITTEN    AND    PUBLISHED    BY 

THOMAS  BETTER,  (Colored,) 
.// 

OF  ELKO,  NEVADA. 


This  work  is  perfectly  chaste  and  moral  in  every  particular. 


SAN   FEANCISCO: 

CUDDY  &  HUGHES,  PRINTERS,  511  SANSOME  STREET. 
1871. 


13 

,  i 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress  in  the  year  1871,  by 
THOMAS  DETTEE,  in  the  office  of  Librarian  of  Congress, 
at  Washington. 


Bancrof  ?•  Librarx 

12.4-1 3.  & 


I  N  T  R  O  D  U  CT  I  O  N. 


READERS— The  design  of  this  work  is  to  show 
the  unhappy  results  of  jealousy  and  misplaced  con 
fidence,  arid  the  wicked  designs  of  corrupt  parties. 
Man  and  woman  were  created  for  a  noble  purpose 
by  their  Creator;  but  how  often  do  we  see  families 
that  have  lived  long  happily  together  rent  in  twain 
by  such  malignant  characters  as  Mrs.  H.,  Aunt 
Polly  and  Martha  Lovejoy — more  fully  explained 
in  the  following  work.  Such  characters  are  to  be 
found  in  all  communities,  like  hungry  wolves  hunt 
ing  down  their  prey;  they  often  paralyze  the  hopes 
of  the  good  and  just,  cause  doubts,  gloom  and  de 
spair  to  overhang  their  pathway,  where  the  radiant 
sunlight  of  happiness  had  long  beamed.  Malicious 
persons,  like  Sampson's  foxes,  are  ever  scattering 
the  firebrands  of  hate,  mischief  and  discord,  and 
should  be  shunned  by  all  lovers  of  good  society. 

I  ought  to  apologize  for  attempting  to  put  this 
work  before  the  public.  I  am  entirely  responsi 
ble  for  it.  They  are  my  own  ideas,  however 
crude  they  may  be.  Knowing  that  the  works 
of  the  ablest  writers  are  subject  to  the  severest 
criticism,  I  put  this  book  before  the  public  to  live 
or  die  upon  its  own  merits.  I  was  raised  in  the 
District  of  Columbia,  where  the  education  of  colored 
persons  was  very  limited.  This  work  is  perfect 
ly  chaste  and  moral  in  every  particular.  Hoping 
that  it  will  receive  a  fair  and  impartial  perusal,  I 
remain,  dear  readers, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

THE  AUTHOR. 


CONTENTS. 


I.     NELLIE  BROWN,  OR  THE  JEALOUS  WIFE. 

PAOE. 

CHAPTER  I — Nellie  Brown,  the  jealous  wife  (be 
longing  to  one  of  the  first  families  of  Virginia) , 
and  her  conspirators,  Aunt  Polly,  Mrs.  H., 
Martha  Lovejoy  and  an  outside  lover,  defeated 
in  a  great  divorce  case.  Sue's  devotion  to  her 
mistress.  Peter's  fidelity  to  Ms  master  5 

CHAPTER   II 43 

CHAPTEE  III 62 

CHAPTER  IV — The  terrible  dream  of  Nellie  Brown 
a  few  nights  before  the  trial 80 

CHAPTER  V : 84 

CHAPTER  VI — The  opening  argument  of  Lawyer 
Higgins  for  plaintiff,  Nellie  Brown 95 

CHAPTER  VII — The  eloquent  closing  address  of 
Lawyer  Montgomery  for  the  defence  of  Mr. 
Brown.  Mrs.  Brown's  letter  to  Mr.  Oldharn 
intercepted  by  her  husband  and  produced  in 
Court 102 

CHAPTER  VIII — The  impressive  charge  of  the 
Judga  to  the  Jurors 114 

II.  THE  OCTOKOON  SLAVE  OF  CUBA. 

Redeemed  by  her  sister  from  New  Orleans,  who 
made  her  the  recipient  of  wealth  and  affluence 
at  her  Master's  expense,  by  stratagem 119 

III.  MY  TRIP  TO   BALTIMORE 143 

IV.  CENTRAL  PACIFIC  RAILROAD 149 

V.     IDAHO  CITY— Its  Customs  and  Future  Prospects  151 

VI.     PROGRESS  OF  AMERICA 153 

VII.     BOISE   CITY 155 

VIII.    GIVE  THE  NEGRO  A  CHANCE 157 

IX.  UNCLE  JOE..                                                           .   159 


NELLIE    BROWN, 

OH  THE  JEALOUS  WIFE. 

CHAPTER  I. 

In  the  town  of  N resided  H.  Montgomery,  a 

graduate  of  the  Columbia  College,  Washington,  D. 
C.  He  was  prepossessing  in  appearance,  easy  man 
ners,  a  social  companion.  By  ardent  study  he  became 
one  of  the  first  lawyers  of  Virginia;  he  seldom  in 
dulged  in  ornamentations  at  the  bar;  he  was  prac 
tical,  logical,  and  stern;  when  aroused  with  the 
lash  of  sarcasm  by  his  opponents,  it  was  then  re 
solves  fired  his  breast,  and  the  gleen  of  battle  lit  up 
his  countenance.  He  never  was  known  to  retreat 
in  the  struggles  for  right,  ever  advancing  with  the 
shield  of  truth,  and  with  the  sword  of  justice  cut 
his  way  through  the  ranks  of  his  enemies,  and  in 
variably  disarranged  their  plans,  defeated  their 
aims,  and  won  laurels  of  victory.  If  oratory  means 
the  power  to  present  thoughts,  to  hold*an  audience, 
to  win  favorable  decisions  for  clients,  he  was 
indeed  an  orator.  His  ripe  scholarship,  concise 
and  pointed  arguments,  caused  his  fame  to  spread' 
far  and  wide.  He  kindled  the  fire  of  enthusiasm 
wherever  he  touched  the  public  mind;  he  selected 
the  purest  ores  of  truth  and  the  brightest  gems 
of  thought;  he  never  engaged  the  enemy  without 
being  thoroughly  equipped  for  the  fight;  he  knew 
no  fears;  nothing  swerved  him  from  duty;  honest 
and  frank  with  his  clients  on  all  matters  pertaining 
to  business, 


6 


NELLIE   BROWN 


His  associates  in  law,  though  jealous  of  his  suc 
cess,  acknowledged  his  talents  and  abilities  as  a 
counsellor. 

One  of  his  happiest  efforts  was  a  divorce  case,  in 
which  he  was  engaged  as  a  counsellor  in  behalf  ot 

the  defendant,  Mr.  B .  He  was  accused  of 

infidelity  by  his  wife,  to  whom  he  had  been  married 
twelve  long  years.  The  fruit  of  that  marriage  was 
a  girl  and  a  boy,  Maggie  and  Willie.  They  were 
just  old  enough  to  know  a  mother's  love  and  a 
father's  care.  Peace  and  happiness  had  long  dwelt 
in  the  cottage  situated  at  the  base  of  the  mountain 
in  old  Virginia,  surrounded  with  shrubbery  and 
vines. 

Mr.  B.  was  a  large  cattle-dealer;  his  business 
required  his  absence  from  home  for  weeks;  his  wife, 
though  amiable  and  loving,  was  not  free  from  the 
sting  of  jealousy,  and  not  slow  in  temper  when 
aroused.  Living  at  a  mile  distant  from  Mrs.  B.'s 
farm,  resided  a  prime  Widow,  who  had  not  passed 
thirty  summers,  full  of  life,  glee,  and  apparent  hap 
piness;  with,  perhaps,  an  exception,  she  felt  the  loss 
of  her  companion,  who  had  shared  her  joys  and  woes 
during  his  life.  Mr.  B.  and  his  wife  felt  deeply 
interested  in  her  behalf;  she  was  left  upon  the  cold 
charities  of  a  heartless  world. 

During  Mr.  B.  7s  absence  from  home  the  Widow 
visited  Mrs.  B.  for  weeks;  they  became  the  confi 
dents  of  each  other.  So  strong  was  their  attach 
ment,  one  would  suppose  them  to  be  sisters. 

Mrs.  H.,  a  woman  who  became  jealous  of  the 
association  of  the  widow  and  Mrs.  B.,  was  a  person 
who  did  not  hesitate  to  avenge  herself  upon  her 
neighbors  to  gratify  her  personal  prejudices. 

Mr.  B.,  on  returning  home,  frequently  stopped  at 


OR  THE  JEALOUS  WIPE.  7 

the  Widow's;  her  house  was  situated  on  the  main 
road,  which  he  had  to  pass. 

It  was  in  the  month  of  July,  ami  the  meridian  of 
day  shone  in  its  beauty  and  strength.  The  heat  was 
intense;  the  feathered  songsters,  that  had  sang  so 
sweetly  as  the  orb  of  day  rose  o'er  the  Eastern 
slopes,  had  ceased  their  warblings  and  had  taken 
shelter  among  the  leaves  of  the  trees.  It  was 
now  about  noon;  the  Widow  was  seated  at  the 
parlor  window,  embroidering  a  handkerchief. 
She  heard  the  clattering  of  a  horse's  hoofs  coming 
from  the  village — Greenbriar.  Her  heart  leaped 
with  joy;  she  said:  4<  Can  it  be  Mr.  B.  and 
Queen  ?"  which  was  the  name  of  the  proud  filly  he 
rode. 

The  Widow  arose  from  her  seat  and  hastened  to 
the  door;  much  to  her  joy  and  delight  it  was 
Queen  and  her  master.  They  seemed  equally  de 
lighted  to  look  upon  the  young  Widow  again;  they 
seldom  passed  without  halting.  As  Mr.  B.  rode 
up,  the  Widow  said  : 

"  I  am  delighted  to  see  you ;  do  alight  and  walk 
in." 

After  conversing  a  few  moments,  Mr.  B.  asked  : 

"  When  did  you  last  hear  from  Nellie  and  the 
babies?" 

"  Dear  me,  I  have  just  returned  from  your  house 
yesterday;  your  wife  and  children  are  enjoying  ex 
cellent  health,  and  are  over-anxious  to  see  you." 

"  Yes,"  replied  Mr.  B.  with  a  smile,  "  if  I  continue 
to  roam  around,  as  I  have  this  last  three  weeks, 
those  little  toads  will  noc  know  who  their  daddy  is." 

"  They  are  continually  prattling  about  Pa.  It  is 
just  three  weeks  to-day,  is  it  not,  since  you  left 
home  ?"  asked  the  Widow. 


8  NELLIE  BROWN 

"  It  is,"  replied  Mr.  B.,  and  much  longer  than 
I  intended  to  have  stayed." 

"  Come  in  and  test  yourself.  Poor  Queen  looks 
as  though  she  was  tryed." 

"  We  Lave  come  thirty-five  miles  from  the  village 
since  seven  o'clock.  What  time  of  day  is  it  ?" 

"  Go,  Nan,  in  the  dining-room  and  see  what  time 
it  is." 

Nan,  (a  little  Negro  girl)  obeyed  the  order  and 
returned  with  a  grin;  she  said: 

"Missus,  de  big  hand  ob  de  clock  is  up,  and  the 
little  one  am  cross  ways." 

"  Plague  take  you,  you  little  blackskin.  I  have 
a  great  mind  to  pull  your  ears.  For  the  life  of  me 
I  can  not  learn  that  little  Negress  anything." 

"Curse  them;  I  have  found  them  to  be  more 
trouble  than  profit.  To  gratify  you  I  will  come  in 
a  few  moments.  I  have  something  rich  to  tell  you." 

The  Widow  laughed,  and  at  the  same  time  she 
stroked  back  her  jet-black  hair,  showing  a  set  of 
teeth  white  as  pearls. 

"Nan!" 

"  Yes,  Missus." 

"  Go  and  tell  Bill  to  put  Queen  in  the  barn,  and 
feed  her  well." 

Nan  shot  away  like  an  arrow  and  returned  in  a 
few  minutes. 

"Missus;  can't  find  him." 

"  Where  did  you  look  for  him  ?" 

"  In  de  orchard,  Missus." 

"I  do  not  know  what  to  think  of  that  little 
wretch;  she  knows  as  well  as  I  do  that  Bill  is 
chopping  wood  in  the  bottom.  Go,  this  moment, 
down  to  the  bottom,  and  tell  Bill  to  come  here  im 
mediately,  you  little  simpleton." 


OR  THE  JEALOUS  WIPE.  9 

Nan  went  off  at  a  snail's  gait. 
"You,  Nan?" 
"  Marm  ?" 

"  If  you  don't  hasten,  I'll  skin  you  when  you  re 
turn." 

"  Yes,  Missus." 

In  a  few  moments  Bill,  the  servant  man,  came 
up  and  said  : 

"I  declar;  here  am  Massa  Ben,"  and  gave  vent 
to  one  of  those  hearty  laughs  the  African  is  so 
noted  for.  One  would  have  supposed  that  his 
whole  frame  would  have  fallen  to  pieces  before  he 
closed  his  mouth. 

"  Take  Queen,  Bill,  to  the  barn,  and  feed  her 
well,"  said  the  Widow.  "Do  walk  out  on  the 
piazza,  Mr.  B.  It  is  much  pleasanter;  be  seated; 
will  you  take  a  glass  of  wine,  cider  or  "ice- water?" 

"  Thank  you,  I'll  take  a  glass  of  water." 

"  Go,  Nan,  and  get  a  tumbler  of  ice- water." 

Nan  returned,  holding  the  glass  in  her  hand. 

"  How  dare  you  bring  water  in  your  little  black 
hand  to  a  gentleman  ?" 

"  'Deed,  Missus,  I  could  not  find  a  tray." 

"  Where  did  you  look  for  it?" 

"  In  the  wardrobe,  Missus." 

"  Do  hear  that  little  imp  !" 

Mr.  B.  at  the  same  time  shaking  his  sides,  laughing 
at  Nan  and  her  mistress. 

"  Be  off  you  little  idiot." 

The  Widow  and  Mr.  B.  then  drew  their  chairs 
up  side  by  side. 

"  Do  tell  me,  Mr.  B.,  the  news  of  the  village.  Is 
Sally  Jenkins  married  ?'7 

"I  think  not." 

"  No !  I  am  rather  inclined  to  think  she  is  too 


10  NELLIE  BROWN 

fickle-minded.  You  know  Josh  Barnes  is  dead  in 
lore  with  her,  and,  indeed,  he  is  a  clever  fellow.  I 
am  inclined  to  think  he  is  too  good  for  her." 

"  You  know  women  are  strange  beings,  and  few 
can  account  for  their  choice,  taste  and  notions." 

"  You  are  quite  complimentary;  thank  you  kindly. 
(Mr.  B.  laughed).  If  I  did  not  know  you  so  well, 
I  would  take  you  to  task,"  said  the  Widow  with  a 
happy  smile  on  her  countenance.  "  You  have  rather 
a  strange  idea  of  women." 

"  Not  by  any  means;  I  am  their  friend.  I  have 
received  but  little  gratitude  in  return.  I  advocated 
your  cause  to-day." 

"  Pray  explain  to  me  in  what  way,  Mr.  B.?" 

"  Frank  Clifton,  at  the  village,  is  desperately  in 
love  with  you." 

"  Ha,  Ha !"  ejaculated  the  Widow,  her  face 
flushed  as  she  gave  vent  to  her  feelings. 

"  I  told  him  that  you  were  worthy  of  any  gentle 
man's  esteem,  and  hoped  that  he  would  succeed. 
Like  most  men,  I  suppose  he  feels  a  delicacy  in 
urging  claims  of  matrimony." 

While  they  were  conversing,  a  neighboring 
woman,  Mrs.  H.,  living  near  by,  thinking  that  Mr. 
B.  remained  longer  than  usual,  made  an  excuse, 
went  to  the  house,  and  asked  for  the  loan  of  a 
book. 

The  Widow  entered  the  sitting  room,  returned 
and  presented  Mrs.  H.  with  the  desired  book. 

"  I  am  always  pleased  to  accommodate  my  neigh 
bors,  but  Mrs.  H.  invariably  makes  it  a  business  to 
come  to  my  house  when  I  have  company.  She  is,  in 
deed,  an  inquisitive  and  a  talkative  woman.  I  have 
not  been  in  her  house  since  the  death  of  my  husband. 
If  she  was  capable  of  taking  a  hint,  she  would  not 


OR  THE   JEALOUS   WIFE.  11 

come  here.  Excuse  me  for  interrupting  your 
conversation;  do  give  me  the  history  of  this 
gentleman  who  has  become  smitten  with  me.  Is  he 
handsome,  accomplished,  and  of  good  origin  ?  You 
know  I  wish  no  other  as  a  suitor,  nor  would  I  wed 
with  a  man  that  did  not  possess  these  qualities.'7 

"  You  are  hard  to  please." 

"  That  is  just  my  sentiments;  I  am  ready  whenever 
I  meet  a  gentleman  whom  I  know  possesses  those 
qualifications,  and  believe  that  he  will  fulfill  the 
duties  of  a  companion.77 

"  Perhaps  you  will  not  meet  with  so  good  an 
opportunity  soon,'7  said  Mr.  B.  "As  to  qualifica 
tions,  he  is  an  excellent  business  man,  and  has  an 
education  suitable  for  his  position.  He  is  strictly 
honest  and  reliable.  I  am  satisfied  in  my  own  mind 
that  he  is  worthy  to  accept  the  heart  and  hand  of 
any  accomplished  lady.77 

The  Widow  shrugged  her  plump,  round  shoulders, 
and  remarked  with  a  smile: 

"  That  will  do,  as  far  as  it  goes.  You  know  my 
dear  husband  was  a  gentleman  by  birth  and  educa 
tion.  How  much  do  you  suppose  him  to  be  worth  ?77 

"  It  is  said  that  he  is  worth  thirty  or  forty  thou 
sand  dollars.'7 

"  That  would  be  a  handsome  little  fortune  for  one 
who  is  not  extravagant  or  wasteful?" 

"  I  should  think  it  would.7' 

"  Do  bring  him  down;  I  have  a  curiosity  to  see 
him.77 

The  remark  caused  Mr.  B.  to  smile. 

"  I  promised  him  an  introduction  to  you;  I  thought 
it  advisable  to  ascertain  whether  it  would  be  agree 
able  to  you.77 

"If    he   is  good-looking,    perhaps   chance  may 


12  NELLIE   BROWN 

fayor  him.  You  know  that  I  am  a  woman  possess 
ing  a  noble  and  genorous  heart.  I  have  been  raised 
tenderly  and  kindly,  and  to  marry  a  man  that  was 
not  truly  my  equal  would  render  me  unhappy  for 
life." 

"  I  am  aware,  madam,  that  you  are  deserving  a 
worthy  companion,  I  have  no  desire  to  select  a 
choice  for  you.  I  merely  delivered  my  message  and 
expressed  my  opinion.  Mr.  Jacobs  is  the  gentle 
man." 

"  Thank  you,  I  have  heard  of  the  gentleman,  and 
from  reports  I  would  suppose  that  the  fair  sex  have 
no  charm  for  him,  and  that  he  was  a  stranger  to  the 
sensation  of  love,  having  neither  taste  nor  desire 
for  the  association  of  ladies." 

"There  is  a  time  in  the  history  of  men's  lives  that 
radical  changes  occur,  old  ideas  decay  and  new  ones 
take  their  place.  I. once  read  of  a  nobleman  who 
never  entered  the  society  of  ladies.  He  shunned 
them  on  all  occasions;  the  door  of  his  affections 
seemed  to  have  been  forever  closed  against  them. 
While  strolling  out  for  a  morning's  walk,  he  acci 
dentally  met  a  peasant  girl  returning  from  market. 
She  had  sold  her  little  produce  and  was  homeward 
bound.  He  inquired  her  name  and  re-idence,  and 
in  three  weeks  from  th.at  date  she  was  his  happy 
bride.  What  do  you  think  of  that  ?" 

<k  I  suppose  Love  has  no  eyes,  is  deaf  to  criticism, 
and  blind  to  the  smiles  and  frowns  of  the  world." 

"  She  made  him  a  happy  companion,  though 
plucked  from  Nature's  garden — a  raw  flower.  With 
the  hand  of  affection,  he  planted  it  in  richer  soil; 
she  grew  wise  and  twined  around  his  affections 
like  the  vine  round  the  towering  onk.  The  storms 
nor  the  ills  of  life  marred  not  their  happiness;  their 


OR   THE   JEALOUS   WIFE.  13 

bark  sailed  calmly  upon  the  ocean  of  time  as  they 
drifted  on  to  the  great  ocean  of  eternity." 

"  The  evening  is  far  advanced;  I  must  be  off, hoping 
that  you  may  be  able  soon  to  decide  for  yourself." 

"  Your  company  is  so  agreeable  I  regret  much 
your  leaving." 

Bill  had  Queen  at  the  door  in  readiness.  She 
was  as  restless  as  a  leaf  in  the  Summer's  breeze; 
she  stood  pawing  the  ground  and  champing  her  bit, 
eager  to  bound  like  a  deer  to  her  coltish  home. 

Mr.  15.  mounted. 

'*  Kiss  Nellie  and  the  babes  for  me,"  said  the 
Widow.  "  Good-bye,  good-bye." 

Queen  leaped  of!  like  a  hare  and  soon  neared  the 
old  farm  on  which  she  was  raised.  As  she  came  in 
sight  of  her  mates  grazing  in  the  meadow,  she 
neighed.  Peter,  Mr.  B.'s.  hostler,  caught  the  sound, 
and  hastened  to  open  the  gate. 

"  How  do  you  do,  Peter  ?  Bow  are  you  getting 
along  ?" 

;i  How  do,  Massa?  I  is  well  and  am  triad  to  see 
you,  sar." 

"  How  is  your  Missus,  Peter  ?" 

"  She  is  well,  sar,  but  in  bad  humor." 

"  What  is  the  matter  with  her,  Peter?" 

"  Don  no,  sar;  dat  boy  ob  Missus  H.,  dat  libes  on 
the  road  above  de  Widow's,  been  here,  sar,  wid  a 
note." 

"Can  it  be  possible  that  wretched  woman  has 
written  an  untruthful  letter  to  my  wife?" 

Leaving  his  sable  groom,  he  started  for  the  house. 
The  dog,  seeing  his  master,  gave  him  a  welcome 
bark;  this  brought  little  Maggie  and  Willie  to  the 
door.  They  cried  at  the  top  of  their  voices  :  "  Ma, 
here  comes  pa."  They  gave  a  leap  arid  each  was  in 


14  NELLIE    BROWN 

his  arms;  ho  kissed  them  with  a  father's  love.  He 
thought  strange  of  his  wife  not  coming  to  greet  him. 

"  Where  is  your  ma,  Willie  ?'' 

4kln  the  bed-room,  pa;  she's  been  kying,  pa." 

He  entered  the  hall.  Sue,  the  housemaid,  got  a 
glimpse  of  him. 

"  'Fore  the  Lord,  dar's  Maspa  Ben  "  cried  Sue. 

"  How  have  you  been,  Sue  ?"  said  Mr.  B. 

"Tank  you,  Massa;  I  is  well." 

"  How  is  your  mistress?" 

Sue  glanced  her  eyes  toward  the  bed-room,  shook 
her  head  and  whispered  in  his  ear: 

"  Trouble  here,  Massa;  sure  as  I  is  born." 

Mr.  B.'s  countenance  in  an  instant  looked  de 
pressed.  He  hastened  to  the  chamber-door  and 
rushed  in. 

"  How  do  you  do,  dear  Nellie?" 

"  I  have  no  further  use  for  you,  sir,"  said  Mrs.  B. 
"  Your  presence  is  disgusting  in  my  sight  How 
foolish  have  1  been  to  love  a  wretch  like  you.  I 
had  rather  be  an  inmate  of  the  alms-house  than  to 
live  under  your  roof.  Release  me  from  this  prison; 
I  have  loved  you  with  a  woman's  pure  love.  You, 
sir,  have  blasted  and  withered  my  earthly  hopes." 

"  What  possesses  you,  Nellie?  What  notion  has 
entered  your  brain  ?" 

"  I,  sir,  have  in  my  possession  a  note  of  your  con 
duct,  written  to  me  by  a  woman  of  truth  and  veracity 
— of  your  conduct  at  the  Widow's.  You,  sir,  have 
been  there  since  noon  to-day.  Your  actions  there 
were  unbecoming  a  gentleman.  Three  weeks  to-day 
yon  have  beer,  absent,  and  to  think  you  came  within 
a  mile  ofhome  and  remained  there  all  day." 

The  fires  of  jealousy  long  smothered  was  kindled 
on  the  altar  of  her  heart. 


OR   THE   JEALOUS  WIFE.  15 

"  You  are  the  last  woman  that  should  accuse  me 
thus,  and  one  that  has  long  been  your  confidential 
friend,"  said  Mr.  B.  "Had  I  known  that  you 
entertained  the  slightest  suspicion  of  my  fidelity  and 
the  Widow's  chastity,  I  never  would  have  entered 
her  door." 

"  I  am  satisfied,  sir,"  said  Mrs.  B.,"  that  you  areas 
guilty  of  misconduct  as  Arnold  was  of  treason;  you 
deserve  a  felon's  fate.  I  left  a  home  of  comfort, 
ease  and  hapfmiess,  to  become  bone  of  your  bone, 
flesh  of  your  flesh.  See  your  gratitude?  What 
justifiable  excuse  can  you  offer — what  evidence  can 
you  produce—to  exonerate  you  from  a  charge  so 
unjustifiable  and  unbecoming  the  dignity  of  a  gentle 
man.  None,  sir." 

"  You  speak  as  one  whose  reason  is  dethroned." 

"Better  that  you  hide  your  guilty  face  than  to 
attempt  to  enter  a  plea  of  innocence.  Your  actions 
for  the  last  six  months  have  been  suspicious  to  me. 
You  had  more  business  at  the  village  during  the 
six  months  past  than  for  three  years  prior.  Your 
excuse  was  that  you  were  compelled  to  attend  he 
*  Lodge.'  An  excellent  excuse,  indeed,  to  shield  you 
from  suspicion." 

"  Nellie,  have  you  got  through  ?"  said  Mr.  B.  "  I 
am  mortified  at  your  actions,  you  accuse  me  of  that 
which  I  am  not  guilty  of.  The  Widow  is  as  pure  as 
a  new-born  babe.  She  loves  you  with  a  sister's 
love.  How  could  you  listen  to  that  wicked 
woman's  lies.  The  Widow  told  me,  when  she  came 
for  the  loan  of  a  book,  it  was  only  an  excuse  to  ex 
cite  you,  and  to  create  mischief.  She  envies  you, 
your  happiness  and  the  society  of  your  friends. 
Her  object  is  to  destroy  your  peace,  and  to  blast 
those  cherished  hopes  you  have  so  long  nourished. 


16  NELLIE  BROWN 

Have  you  ye.t  to  learn  that  women  are  envious  and 
jealous  of  each  other's  success,  and  would  conde 
scend  to  use  the  most  artful  intrigues  to  accomplish 
their  wicked  designs.  I  am  the  same  man  in  prin 
ciple,  honor  and  sincerity  to-day  as  I  was  when 
I  led  you  to  the  bridal  altar.  Time,  nor  the 
varied  changes  of  business  matters,  have  not  caused 
my  love  to  grow  languid  or  cold  towards  you. 
You  are  tho  idol  of  my  heart.  Mrs.  H.  alone 
is  responsible  for  your  unhappiness.  I  am  truly 
sorry  to  think  that  you  are  so  credulous  as  to  give 
countenance  to  her  reports.  My  kindness  to  the 
Widow  has  been  of  pure  friendship  ;  knowing  that 
she  was  a  lone  woman,  thrown  upon  the  world 
without  an  earthly  prop  to  lean  upon,  her  bosom 
companion  taken  from  her  and  consigned  to  the 
narrow  limits  of  the  grave,  I  felt  towards  her  as 
you  once  did;  deeply  interested  in  her  welfare.  I 
supposed  then  you  were  free  from  the  passion  of 
jealousy." 

"  You,  sir,  appear  to  be  a  good  judge  of  'human 
nature.7  You  seem  to  understand  the  dispositions 
of  women  to  a  charm,  and  their  imperfections.  Men, 
with  you,  are  all  angels !  your  explanations  have 
not  removed  my  suspicions,  nor  established  a  proof 
of  your  innocence.  Do  you  remember,  sir,  the 
first  Sabbath  in  last  month  at  the  village  church  ? 
The  Widow  accompanied  us  by  your  invitation.  I 
was  convinced  from  that  very  hour  of  your  guilt. 
During  the  service  at  the  chapel,  I  perceived  that 
you  were  becoming  attached  to  her.  Your  mind 
was  not  the  least  interested  in  the  excellent  dis 
course  delivered  by  the  pastor  on  that  occasion. 
You  seated  yourself  on  the  upper  side  of  the  Widow 
nstead  of  taking  your  seat  between  us ;  and,  for 


OR  THE  JEALOUS   WIPE.  17 

the  life  of  you,  you  could  not  keep  your  eyes  off  her; 
she  was  your  only  attraction.  I  was  not  the  only 
one  that  noticed  your  actions  on  that  occasion.  And 
still  you  profess  to  love  me!  such  love  is  mockery; 
your  pretension  of  love  to  me  is  hypocritical.  You 
cannot  induce  me  to  believe  any  such  stuff.  I  am 
no  child  to  be  fed  on  pap.  You,  sir,  are  as  deep 
as  the  sea.  Thanks  to  Mrs.  II.,  I  have  got  on  your 
track  ;  I  shall  trace  you  to  your  den.  I  shall  leave 
no  stone  unturned  until  I  fully  establish  your  guilt 
or  innocence;  an  outrage  against  woman's  honor 
to  be  thus  treated  and  sacrificed.  Men  are  worse 
than  Satan  desired  them  to  be.  What  woman 
unincumbered  with  man  would  listen  to  their  flat 
tery  or  allow  herself  to  be  drawn  into  their  net — 
knowing  what  I  do  of  the  torments  !  None  would 
leave  a  home,  however  humble,  to  become  the 
drudge  and  slave  of  man.  Life  has  no  charms  for 
me.  No,  none.  If  it  were  not  for  those  dear 
babes  I  would  take  a  leap  into  eternity,  and  bury 
my  sorrows  and  cares  in  the  silent  tomb.  Speak 
not  to  me." 

Mr.  B.  turned  away,  with  tears  rolling  down  his 
cheeks,  and  a  heart  burdened  with  sorrow. 

Mrs.  B.  called  to  Sue,  her  Negress  servant : 

"  Sue,  go  immediately  and  tell  Peter  to  come  to 
my  room." 

"Yes,  Missus."  Before  Sue  left  she  ex 
claimed  :  "  For  de  Lord  sake.  Missus,  what  am  de 
trouble  wid  you  an  Massa  Ben  ?  I  declar,  Missus, 
I  is  like  one  in  de  troubled  sea.  I  had  vis- 
sions,  night  after  night,  and  I  have  prayed  to  de 
Lord  to  show  dem  to  me,  so  I  could  know  dem.  I 
hab  wept  dis  day  like  a  weeping  willow,  Missus  ;  1 
did  want  to  come  into  de  room  to  see  you;  I  see 


18  NELLIE  BROWN 

you  so  full  ob  trouble  I  did  want  to  talk  wid  you. 
I  as  been  in  de  same  trouble,  Missus.  I  declar  to 
de  Lord,  if  I  didn't  want  to  be  dead  and  in  de 
grave.  I  prayed  to  my  blessed  Lord  night  and  day 
to  take  de  trouble  away,  and  gib  me  the  victory 
over  my  enemies;  de  Lord  did  answer  my  feeble 
prayers,  and  my  troubles  went  like  a  short  Sum 
mer's  day.  Hab  fate  in  de  Lord,  Missus  ;  He  will 
make  de  crooked  way  straight,  and  the  hilly  lebel. 
I  know  dese  men  bar  watching.  For  de  Lord  sake 
don't  tell  Massa  Ben  I  say  anyting  ;  I  spect  dis 
trouble  long  time.  Dat  Widow  is  more  cunning  aa 
de  serpent ;  I  believe  Massa  Ben  loves  her." 

"  What    makes    you   think    so,"   said    Mrs.   B. 
"  Have  you  seen  any  familiarity  between  them  ?" 

"  Well,  Missus,  one  day  I  pass  de  parlor  door  I 
see  Massa  Ben  sitting  on  de  sofa  close  by  de  side 
ob  de  Widow.     He   get  up  just  as  I  look  in  de 
door,  de  Widow  look  at  me,  den  at  Massa  Ben;   I 
see  mischief  in  her  eye." 
*•  Where  was  I,  Sue,  when  this  happened  ?" 
"  You  had  gone  up  to  de  orchard,  Missus." 
"  Why  did  you  not  tell  me,  Sue,  about  it  ?" 
"  Well,  Missus,   de   Lord  say,  '  Blessed  am  the 
peace -makers;'  dats  de  reason,  Missus  ;  I  tough  t  it 
best  to  say  noting." 

"  It  is  very  strange,  Sue,  that  you  kept  it  from  me," 
"  Missus,  de  Lord  said  :  '  De  sins  of.  de  vicked 
shall  find  dem  out ;  Bress  de  Lord  it  has  come  true. 
I  know  it,  and  prayed  for  de  Lord  to  show  you  dese 
tings,  dat  you  might  see  dem  wid  your  eyes.  See 
how  good  de  Lord  am;  He  am  de  same  God  dat 
delivered  Daniel  out  off  de  lion's  den.  Trust  in 
Him,  Missus,  and  He  deliber  you  out  of  dis  trouble; 
bress  His  holy  name." 


OR  THE  JEALOUS  WIPE.  19 

"  Do  you  think  so,  Sue  ?" 

"  Yes,  Missus.  If  I  had  de  wings  ob  a  dove,  I 
would  by  in  de  kingdom  dis  hour.  Den  dis  poor 
body  and  soul  be  ebber  free  from  sins,  sorrow  and 
death." 

"  Sue,  would  you  leave  me  in  this  hour  of  my  af 
fliction.  You  talk  about  heaven  as  though  you 
had  been  there.  Death  is  a  terror,  Sue,  to  the  pur 
est  of  earth's  saints  :  Don't  talk  so  silly  about 
matters  so  serious.  I  promised  myself  to  make 
Mrs.  H.  a  visit  and  ascertain  the  facts  relative  to 
this  affair." 

"  Dat  am  de  place  to  go,  Missus;  I  be  bound  dat 
you  find  out  dar  all  Massa  Ben's  tricks;  I  lub  you 
both  as  my  own  dear  childen;  dat  woman  will  tell 
you  de  hole  truth:  my  poor  heart  bleeds  for  you;  I 
tink  Massa  Ben  act  so  bad." 

"  Go  and  tell  Peter  to  saddle  Bet;  I  have  delayed 
it  much  longer  than  I  intended." 

Sue  delivered  the  message,  and  in  a  few  minutes 
Bet  was  at  the  door.  Mrs.  B.  leaped  upon  her 
back,  and  said  : 

"  Sue,  take  good  care  of  the  children  in  my  ab 
sence." 

"Yes,  Missus." 

"  Good-bye,  Sue  1" 

"  De  Lord  bress  you." 

"  I  had  like  to  forget.  If  your  Master  should 
return  in  my  absence,  you  need  not  tell  him  where 
I  have  gone." 

"  No,  Missus,  nebber;  I  is  too  smart  for  dat." 

Bet  seemed  honored  to  assist  her  Mistress  on  her 
mission;  she  was  as  playful  as  a  cat  and  as  innocent 
as  a  lamb.  She  was  not  long  in  bringing  her  Mis 
tress  to  the  gate  of  Mrs.  H.'s  residence.  Mrs.  H., 


20  NELLIE  BROWN 

seeing  Mrs.  B.,  hastened  to  open  the  gate,  and  ex 
claimed  : 

"  Dear  me !  how  do  you  do  ?  I  am  delighted  to 
see  you;  I  have  news  that  may  be  of  interest  to  you. 
Do  alight  and  walk  in;  or,  would  you  prefer  sitting 
under  our  old  favorite  oak  ?" 

"  I  prefer  being  seated  here,  as  it  is  much  cooler," 
said  Mrs.  B. 

"  I'll  bring  you  a  chair;  make  your  pony  fast  to 
the  fence;  or,  shall  I  take  her  to  the  barn  ?" 

'*  She  is  gentle  as  a  kitten." 

"  Indeed,  she  looks  cunning;  I  would  like  much 
to  own  her.  What  a  splendid  head  and  form !  She 
reminds  me  so  much  of  a  favorite  pony  my  husband 
bought  me  a  year  ago.  Unfortunately  he  died. 
Will  you  allow  me  to  take  your  hat  and  shawl  ?'' 

"  Thank  you." 

"  I  am  so  pleased  to  see  you  !  Can  you  not  re 
main  over  evening  ?" 

"I  should  be  pleased  to  do  so,  ff  it  was  in  my 
power;  you  know  that  I  have  two  little  children, 
and  they  compel  me  to  be  home  at  night." 

"  Is  it  not  strange  to  see  the  unhappiness  in  fami 
lies  resulting  from  the  imprudence  of  women  and 
the  depravity  of  men  ?" 

"  Indeed  it  is;  that  is  my  mission  here  to-day." 

"  I  assure  you  I  feel  interested  in  your  behalf, 
knowing  that  you  have  been  treated  shamefully.  I 
scarcely  know  what  to  think  of  such  conduct.  I 
would  leave  a  man  who  would  treat  me  as  your  hus 
band  has  treated  you  before  the  setting  of  the  sun; 
I  would  drop  him  like  a  hot-iron.  It  ought  to  be 
me  instead  of  you;  I  would  make  him  know  the 
strength  of  the  law.  I  saw  your  husband  ride  up 
to  the  Widow's  about  noon  to-day;  his  horse  was 


OR  THE  JEALOUS  WIFE.  21 

put  in  the  barn,  and  he  remained  there  until  dusk, 
knowing  at  the  same  time  that  he  had  been  absent 
from  you  for  three  weeks.  I  thought  it  rather  a 
strange  proceeding;  I  made  it  my  business  to  go 
over  to  the  house  and  ask  the  loan  of  a  book,  for 
an  excuse  to  satisfy  myself.  They  were  seated  to 
gether,  as  loving  as  two  doves.  As  I  turned  the 
corner,!  took  them  by  surprise;  they  seemed  confused. 
The  Widow  arose  from  her  chair,  and  looked  as  silly 
as  a  child.  Of  course  I  did  not  let  on  to  her  that 
I  noticed  their  embarrassment;  I  simply  asked  for 
the  book;  your  husband  ?at  speechless,  and  for  the 
life  of  him  he  could  not  look  me  in  the  face.  Are 
not  women  silly  creatures  to  allow  themselves  to  be 
made  the  dupes  of  men  1" 

"  I  have  long  esteemed  the  Widow  as  a  lady 
worthy  of  my  confidence/7  said  Mrs.  B.;  "  but  it  is 
well  said  that  *  human  nature  is  frail.7  She  is  the 
last  one  that  I  thought  would  be  guilty  of  destroy 
ing  my  happiness.  For  several  months  past  I  felt 
inclined  to  think  something  was  wrong.  My  hus 
band  has  seemed  indifferent  to  me,  and  has  not 
treated  me  as  kindly  as  in  former  days.  At  the 
same  time  I  thought  perhaps  business  matters  caused 
him  to  act  thus." 

"  I  know  of  him  making  her  handsome  presents. 
Did  he  ever  tell  you  ?" 

"  Yes;  he  told  me  that  he  gave  her  a  shawl.  I 
thought  nothing  of  it;  she  showed  it  to  me;  I  re 
garded  it  as  pure  friendship." 

"  I  don't  think  that  is  all  he  gave  her;  I  saw  her 
have  a  splendid  parasol  that  could  not  have  cost  less 
than  twenty-five  dollars.  You  are  aware  that  she 
never  visits  me,  or  1  might  have  ascertained  the  price 
of  it.  I  am  unaware  of  the  reason  why  she  don't  visit 


22  NELLIE  BROWN 

me;  I  suppose  she  is  stuck  up  like  many  others,  and 
thinks  herself  better  than  anyone  else.  To  tell  the 
truth,  I  have  had  my  opinion  of  her  for  along  time; 
she  is  a  snake  in  the  grass;  I  would  not  trust  her 
with  a  husband  of  mine  out  of  my  sight.  Kate  Hen 
derson's  troubles  were  similar  to  your  own.  Her  hus 
band  gallanted  Mary  Sheppard  to  the  last  party 
at  the  village,  and  left  her  at  home  to  slave;  she  came 
over  and  asked  me  my  opinion;  I  knew  that  he 
thought  more  of  Mary  S.  than  he  did  of  his  wife, 
Kate.  I  have  seen  Henderson  and  Mary  evening 
after  evening,  walking  out,  while  his  wife  was 
drudging  at  home.  Finally,  he  treated  her  so  bad 
that  she  asked  me  what  she  had  better  do;  I  told 
her  the  sooner  she  got  rid  of  him  the  better  it  would 
be  for  her;  he  had  scarcely  the  second  shirt  to  his 
back.  Jack  Blue  would  marry  her  to-morrow  if 
she  would  obtain  a  bill,  and  advance  her  money  to 
fee  her  counsellor.  This  he  told  me  out  of  his  own 
mouth.  She  is  the  biggest  dunce  of  a  woman  I  ever 
knew  of;  she  says  she  cannot  give  him  up.  Poor 
simpleton!  Did  you  ever  hear  of  such  nonsense? 
She  partly  agreed  to  marrry  Blue  at  one  time,  pro 
vided  she  could  obtain  a  bill.  He  gave  her  several 
handsome  presents  to  my  knowledge.  He  is,  indeed, 
a  model  of  perfection,  and  would  make  her  a  happy 
companion.  She  is  industrious  as  an  ant  and  as  nice 
a  little  housekeeper  as  you  will  find  anywhere.  I 
truly  sympathise  with  her;  you  know  that  she  fears 
outside  talk;  that  is  all  folly  for  a  woman  to  allow 
herself  to  be  imposed  upon.  Mr.  Blue  is  a  man  of 
means  and  would  give  her  anything  in  the  world  if 
she  would  obtain  a  bill  and  accept  his  offer  of  mar 
riage.  He  fell  in  love  with  her  at  a  party  given 
Mrs.  Dalton  last  fall.  Since  then  they  have  been 


OR   THE  JEALOUS   WIPE.  23 

the  best  of  friends.  1  suppose  you  are  acquainted 
with  MarthaLovejoy  ?" 

"  Slightly;  I  have  seen  her  at  several  parties  given 
in  the  neighborhood.  She  is  a  fine  looking  woman. 
Is  she  married  ?" 

"  She  wag,  but  by  my  assistance  she  obtained  a 
bill.  William  Lovejoy  wasl  a  good  provider  for 
her;  but  for  her  life  she  could  not  love  him." 

"  That  seems  to  be  a  strange  course  to  pursue;  I 
should  think  that  a  woman  would  be  competent  of 
knowing  whether  she  loved  a  man  or  not  before  she 
married  him." 

"  The  match  was  made  by  her  parents,  much 
against  her  will,"  said  Mrs.  H.  "  You  know  it  is 
hard  for  a  woman  to  be  really  happy  under  such 
circumstances.  She  is  to  be  married  in  two  months 
from  to-day." 

"  Pray,  to  who  ?" 

"  To  Henry  Lockwood." 

"  Indeed;  how  long  have  they  been  acquainted?" 

"  He  was  her  first  beau,  and  was  engaged  to  him 
before  she  married  Mr.  Lovejoy.  At  that  time  they 
were  botli  young  and  foolish,  they  fell  out  about 
some  trifles,  as  young  people  often  do,  without  any 
real  cause.  Old  coals,  you  know,  will  kindle." 

"  Do  you  think  he  will  make  her  a  good  com 
panion  ?" 

"  I  do;  he  is  a  gentleman  in  every  sense  of  the 
term;  he  is  intelligent  and  has  an  amiable  disposi 
tion;  at  the  same  time  she  is  resolute  and  deter 
mined.  Many  of  her  friends  advised  her  not  to 
leave  Lovejoy;  she  consulted  me;  I  gave  her  my 
opinion;  in  a  few  words  I  told  her,  '  If  you  are  not 
happy,  seek  your  own  happiness.'  She  is  a  woman 
ofstrongmind;  she  has  courage  and  the  grit.  When 


24  NELLIE  BROWN 

her  case  was  tried  she  had  much  to  contend  against. 
Public  opinion  was  against  her  to  a  great  degree; 
1  stuck  to  her,  and  so  did  Lock  wood;  he  is  well  de 
serving  of  her,  for  he  worked  faithfully  to  free 
her  from  William  Lovejoy.  She  loved  Lock- 
wood,  and  regretted  much  that  she  had  not  mar 
ried  him  instead  of  Lovejoy.  I  am  an  advocate  of 
'  Women's  Rights;'  and  if  I  see  them  imposed  upon, 
like  a  faithful  sentinel,  I  invariably  give  warning. 
You,  perhaps,  thought  it  bold  in  me  for  addressing 
you  that  note  ?" 

"  Not  so,"  said  Mrs.  B.  "  I  am  under  many  obli 
gations  to  you  for  the  interest  you  have  manifested 
in  my  behalf." 

"  You  see  I  have  a  splendid  view  from  my  door, 
and  can  see  every  one  that  visits  the  Widow's 
house;  I  have  been  watching  them  a  long  time." 

"  They  were  sitting  like  two  lovers  ?" 

"  Yes;  and  your  husband  looked  as  sheepish  as 
a  wolf.  He  never  so  much  as  looked  up.  They 
were  excited  and  confused,  which  induced  me  to 
telegraph  to  you." 

"  Thank  you  kindly." 

"  I  would  not  have  missed  it  for  the  world;  is 
the  Widow  on  good  terms  with  you?" 

"She  is!" 

"  What  a  wretched  woman  she  must  be;  she  is 
as  full  of  deception  as  an  egg  is  of  meat.'7 

"  What  do  you  think  is  the  best  course  for  me  to 
pursue?" 

''  There  is  but  one  effectual  remedy.  Domestic 
troubles  are  like  an  aching  tooth.  The  only  hope 
I  see  to  secure  you  from  future  difficulties  and  un- 
happiness  is  to  obtain  a  bill;  I  have  been  divorced 
three  times,  and  would  demand  it  again  to-morrow 


OR  THE  JEALOUS  WIFE.  25 

if  necessary.  I  never  will  condescend  to  lick  the 
hand  that  smites  me,  nor  love  a  man  who  does  not 
respect  me." 

Mrs.  B.  smiled  and  said  :  "  Did  you  not  find  it 
difficult  in  obtaining  so  many  bills  ?" 

"  No;  I  never  applied  twice  in  the  same  State. 
I  invariably  made  it  a  rule,  wherever  my  lot 
fell,  to  procure  the  influence  of  the  most  influ 
ential  gentlemen  of  the  county,  and  never  failed 
to  succeed  in  gaining  their  confidence  and  assist 
ance.  It  is  true,  I  was  rather  good  looking,  which 
may  have  produced  an  effect,"  and  she  laughed 
heartily. 

"  If  you  succeeded  on  the  merits  of  your  good 
looks,!  will  stand  a  slim  show." 

"  Ho  1  ho !  ho  !  I  never  have  seen  the  day  that 
I  was  as  good-looking  as  you  are  now." 

"  Thank  you  for  your  compliment." 

"Not  at  all.  You  know  men  are  just  silly 
enough  to  assist  any  good-looking  woman  ;  many  of 
them  will  spend  their  last  dime  if  a. woman  but 
smiles  at  them.  A  woman  that  is  as  good-looking 
as  yourself  is  never  without  admirers." 

"Thank  you;  what  do  you  think  it  would  cost 
me  for  counsel  fees  ?" 

"Dear  me,  ask  Col.  M.  He  is  an  excellent 
counsellor  ;  he  is  a  great  admirer  of  the  society  of 
ladies.  I  know  of  his  having  obtained  several 
bills  for  ladies  ;  he  would  not  accept  a  dime  from 
them  for  his  services." 

"  He  is  very  generous  ;  I  would  like  very  mnch 
to  make  his  acquaintance." 

"  He  left  just  three  weeks  to-day  for  Warrenton 
Springs  ;  his  health  being  poor  I  think  it's  likely 
he  will  remain  there  during  the  season." 


26  NELLIE  BROWN 

"I  have  become  so  thoroughly  disgusted  with 
Ben  that  I  hate  him." 

"  I  know  the  intense  hatred  of  a  woman  when 
she  turns  against  a  man  who  has  wronged  her." 

"  If  I  really  thought  that  I  could  obtain  a  bill,  I 
would  apply  at  the  next  Term  of  Court." 

"  In  my  mind  there  is  not  the  slightest  doubt  that 
you  will  succeed.  Whenever  I  take  a  dislike  to  a 
man,  I  never  cease  to  agitate  the  matter.  I  keep 
the  pot  aboiling;  I  am  a  good  fireman,  and  make 
things  terrible  hot  for  them  when  necessity  requires 
it.  In  one  of  my  difficulties  with  ray  second  hus 
band,  I  entertained  such  a  disgust  for  him  that  I 
was  really  meaner  to  him  than  I  should  have  been; 
I  found  that  without  war  I  could  not  gain  my  free 
dom.  I  finally  excited  him  to  such  a  pitch  that  he 
slapped  me.  That  was  just  what  I  wanted  in  order 
to  secure  a  bill.  A  woman  can  do  more  hurt  with 
her  tongue  than  a  man  can  with  his  physical 
strength.  It  will  not  be  amiss  to  relate  some  few 
facts  touching  the  case;  I  am  satisfied  that  I  can 
drum  up  several  more  witnesses  outside  of  myself. 
That  Widow  is  a  wolf  in  sheep's  clothing,  and 
well-deserves  to  be  made  an  example  of.  Do 
you  suppose  that  she  is  aware  that  you  are  on  her 
track  ?" 

"Not  that  I  know  of;  I  am  confident  she  does 
not." 

"  Did  you  stop  as  you  came  up  ?" 

"  I  did  not."' 

"  She'll  think  it  strange  of  you  passing  without 
stopping.  I  think  it  will  be  to  your  interest  to 
keep  on  good  terms  with  her  until  we  get  our  plans 
all  arranged." 

"  I  detest  the  sight  of  her." 


OR  THE  JEALOUS  WIFE.  27 

"  I  have  learned  to  stoop  to  conquer  my  enemies, 
and  never  fail  to  come  out  victorious.  My  ad 
vice  to  you  is  to  call  on  her  when  you  return,  and 
act  as  though  nothing  had  happened.  It  will  af 
ford  us  a  better  field  to  operate  in,  and  we  may  glean 
more  reliable  information  by  working  cautiously. 
Are  you  acquainted  with  Polly  Hopkins  ?" 

"  I  am  not." 

"  She  is  one  of  the  best  workers  in  matters  of  this 
kind  that  I  know  of." 

"Is  she  reliable?" 

"  She  is  the  most  confidential  old  creature  I  ever 
met  with;  she  is  the  best  fortune-teller  in  the  State; 
we  had  her  employed  in  Martha  Lovejoy's  case. 
Had  it  not  been  for  her,  I  think  we  would  have 
been  defeated.  Martha  had  the  poorest  excuse  of 
a  lawyer  to  defend  her  I  ever  saw;  it  would  take  a 
clap  of  thunder  to  arouse  his  intellect — if  he  had 
any — and  a  broad-ax  to  sharpen  his  ideas.  A  pet 
tifogger  is  the  worst  curse  a  community  ever  was 
afflicted  with,  and  the  poorest  specimen  of  human- 
ity." 

"And,  pray,  who  was  her  counsel  ?" 

"  G.  B.  Bowers." 

"  He  is  a  stranger  here,  is  he  not  ?" 

"He  has  been  here  the  last  six  months;  he  is  from 
Alexandria,  where  he  practiced  until  driven  out  by 
hunger;  I  was  told  he  never  gained  a  single  case 
during  his  practice  there.  He  is  a  perfect  wind 
bag  and  makes  great  pretensions  until  he  gets  his 
fees;  you  then  have  to  be  continually  urging  him 
up.  In  my  opinion,  he  is  better  adapted  for  a 
servant;  we  would  have  lost  the  case  had  we  relied 
upon  his  judgment  and  abilities:  through  my  advice, 
Martha  employed  Judge  S." 


28  NELLIE    BROWN 

" Is  he  a  good  lawyer?" 

"  He  is  one  of  the  best  in  the  State;  he  is  an  able 
counsellor  and  adviser.  The  only  objection  that  I 
have  to  him  is,  he  appears  to  be  slow  and  tedious; 
I  judge  this  from  his  conversation.  Most  men  speak 
three  words  to  his  one.7' 

Mrs.  B.  smiled  and  said  : 

"  Perhaps  he  believes  in  the  teachings  of  the  Bi 
ble  :  *  Think  twice  before  you  speak  once.7 7 

"  Ha!  ha  !  ha  !  you  are  something  of  a  theologian. 
He  never  flatters  his  clients;  he  is  candid  and  frank, 
which  adds  greatly  to  his  success." 

"  What  do  you  think  of  Peter  Logan  ?" 

"  My  opinion  of  him  is,  he  would  not  only  sell  his 
clients,  but  rob  the  dead.  Did  you  know  Alfred 
Kraft?" 

"  I  have  heard  of  him." 

"  He  lived  thirty-five  miles  from  Fairfax  Court 
House,  on  what  is  called  the  '  Old  Road.7  Logan 
was  his  counsel  for  many  years;  he  was  taken  down 
suddenly  with  the  intermittent  fever;  for  a  few  days 
his  case  appeared  hopeful;  finally,  he  got  worse  and 
gave  up  all  hopes  of  recovering,  as  did  his  friends  ; 
he  appointed  Logan  as  his  administrator.  No  se 
curity  was  demanded  of  him  for  the  faithful  dis 
charge  of  his  duty.  Kraft  had  implicit  confidence 
in  Logan.  Mr.  Kraft's  wife  died  one  year  to  the 
very  day  he  was  buried.  They  left  four  little 
children,  the  oldest  not  over  nine  years  of  age. 
Logan  robbed  those  poor  little  orphans  of  every 
dollar,  and  is  now  living  in  ease  and  luxury,  while 
those  little  ones  are  provided  for  by  kind  friends. 
That  is  his  history.77 

"  He  surely  must  be  a  miserable  wretch.  AM 
how  can  he  die  in  peace  guilty  of  a  crime  so  hein 
ous  and  black?" 


OK   THE  JEALOUS   WIFE.  29 

"It  is  true.  Old  Squire  Givens  and  him  are  said 
to  be  partners,  guilty  or  not  guilty.  If  you  are 
brought  before  old  Givens'  Court,  he  will  fine  you 
as  sure  as  you  stand  before  him;  a  fine  and  costs  is 
his  rule  of  justice.  He  applies  it  in  all  cases  if 
possible.  He  has  hoarded  up  riches,  by  fleecing  the 
poor.  But,  thank  God,  there  is  a  higher  Court  at 
whose  bar  the  world  shall  be  judged,  the  king  and 
the  peasant  are  equals  there !" 

"  I  must  be  going,"  said  Mrs.  B. 

"  The  sun  was  now  gliding  down  behind  the 
Western  hills  and  tinged  the  peaks  of  the  lofty 
mountains  with  its  golden  rays  as  it  passed  away. 

"  When  shall  I  expect  you  again  ?" 

"  In  two  weeks." 

"Aunt  Polly  will  be  on  hand  to-day  two  weeks. 
If  we  start  in  after  the  Widow  we  will  make  things 
warm  for  her." 

"  Does  Aunt  Polly  know  me  ?"  asked  Mrs.  B. 

"  I  think  not,"  answered  Mrs.  H.  "  She  has 
been  residing  in  Alexandria  most  of  her  time;  she 
lived  on  Union  street,  No.  48." 

"  Oh !  I  have  heard  of  her  notoriety;  I  must 
really  go,  as  it  is  getting  late." 

"  I  will  lead  your  pony  up." 

"  Thank  you;  I  have  taught  her  to  wait  upon  her 
self." 

She  called  Bet,  at  the  same  time  holding  out  her 
hand.  Bet  came  up  and  licked  her  mistress'  hand 
like  a  poodle. 

"  What  a  knowing  creature  she  is !  She  looks 
as  cunning  as  a  little  child,"  exclaimed  Mrs.  H. 

"  I  have  taken  great  pains  to  educate  her;  she  is 
very  intelligent  and  has  a  lamb-like  disposition. 


30  NELLIE   BROWN 

The  babies  can  go  under  her;  she  will  step  over 
them  as  carefully  as  a  person." 

She  mounted. 

"  I  hope  your  next  visit  will  be  agreeable  and 
profitable." 

"  I  hope  so." 

"  Do  stop  at  the  Widow's  as  you  pass." 

"  For  your  gratification  I  will  do  so." 

"  I  had  rather  you  would  use  policy." 

"  Good-bye,  good-bye." 

"  Now,  whatever  you  do,"  continued  Mrs.  H., 
"  accept  of  no  compromises;  ask  no  questions  and 
give  none.  Be  a  woman.  Let  us  show  to  the  lords 
of  creation  that  we  intend  to  defend  '  our  rights7 
Co  the  last;  and,  remember,  agitate.  We  will  make 
a  good  case  of  it.  If  luck  attends  us,  we  will  bring 
you  out '  right  side  up  with  care.7 " 

Mrs.  B.  left.  Bet  speeded  off  in  an  easy  gallop, 
and  soon  halted  at  the  Widow's  gate. 

The  Widow  seeing  her,  exclaimed: 

"  Why,  Nellie,  is  that  you  ?  Where  have  you 
been?" 

"Up  the  road  on  business,"  replied  Mrs.  B. 

11  You  mean  thing;  did  you  pass  my  house  without 
stopping?" 

"  I  was  somewhat  in  a  hurry." 

"  Tell  me  how  my  children  and  your  husband 
are  ?" 

"  Thank  you;  they  are  well." 

"  Dear  me;  how  I  would  like  to  see  those  little 
darlings.  Do  get  down,  Nellie,  and  kiss  me;  you 
are  the  meanest  thing  that  I  ever  saw.  I  would  not 
think  of  passing  your  house  more  than  I  would  to  fly; 
without  calling.  Do  come  in,  Nellie;  I  have  some 
thing  new  to  tell  you. " 


OR   THE  JEALOUS  WIFE.  31 

"  I  will  stop  a  few  moments." 

As  she  alighted,  the  Widow  embraced,  kissed  her, 
and  gave  her  a  playful  slap. 

"  I  have  a  great  mind  to  give  you  a  good  whip 
ping,  you  naughty  thing." 

"  What  have  you  new  to  tell  me?"  asked  Mrs.  B. 

"  Mr.  B.  has  caught  me  a  new  beau.  What  do 
think  of  that  ?" 

"  Who  can  it  be  ?" 

"  L.  Jacobs." 

14  You  don't  tell  me  so  ?     Is  it  possible  ?" 

"  Nellie,  do  tell  me  what  you  think  of  him  ?" 

14  He  is  a  gentleman  highly  respected.  I  know 
girls  that  would  give  the  world  to  get  him." 

"  Nellie,  don't  you  think  him  old-maidish  ?  I  have 
heard  of  him,  but  have  not  had  the  pleasure  of  see 
ing  him  to  my  knowledge;  I  know  nothing  of  his 
disposition." 

"  Men  of  his  style  and  character  are  a  scarce  com 
modity  in  this  market;  you  had  better  strike  the 
iron  while  it  is  hot !" 

The  Widow  shook  her  sides  and  roared  with 
laughter. 

"  Do  you  really  think  so,  Nellie  ?" 

"I  do." 

"  Nellie,  I  know  you  are  a  good  judge  of  human 
nature  ;  if  you  really  think  so,  I'll  set  my  cap  for 
him." 

"  Do  so;  I  must  really  be  off." 
p'   "  If  you  will  go,  kiss  me  good-bye,  and  be  sure  to 
kiss  the  babies  for  me  and  give  my  love  to  Mr.  B. 

Mrs.  B  mounted,  and  Bet  was  not  long  in  mak 
ing  the  port  of  destination.  Peter  was  on  the 
look-out;  he  hastened  to  open  the  gate.  "  How  do 


32  NELLIE  BROWN 

you  do,  Peter?"  Bet  darted  through  the  gate  like 
an  arrow.  Sue  ran  out  to  meet  her  mistress. 

"  Sue,  I  suppose  you  thought  I  had  forsaken 
you?" 

"  No,  Missus.  Neber  fear  dat  while  dem  babie8 
here.  I  habe  been  looking  for  you  dis  long  time." 

"  How  are  my  little  darlings?" 

"  Dey  is  fine;  I  gibe  dem  a  cup  ob  mick,  and 
put  dem  to  bed." 

During  the  conversation  Peter,  the  hostler,  came 
up,  and  took  charge  of  Bet. 

"  Peter,  feed  her  well;  I  know  she  must  be 
hungry." 

"  Yes,  Missus,"  replied  Peter,  and  started  for 
the  barn. 

"  Sue,  have  you  heard  anything  since  I  have  been 
absent?" 

"  No,  Missus;  eberyting  has  been  as  still  as  de 
grabe.  Jack  Hubbard  been  here  to-day;  he  says 
Massa  Ben  be  home  to-night  or  to-morrow.  Mis 
sus,  do  tell  me  how  you  find  tings  up  dare  ?" 

"Ah  Sue,  I  am  not  surprised;  matters  are  just  as 
I  supposed  them  to  be.  I  am  now  decided;  t  shall 
not  stand  such  conduct  much  longer;  I  intend  to  ap 
ply  for  a  bill  of  divorce." 

"  Wat  am  de  bill  ob  diborce  ?" 

"  A  bill  of  divorce,  Sue,  means  separation  of  man 
and  wife  by  a  legal  process  of  law." 

"  Den,  Missus,  you'll  no  more  be  Massa  Ben's 
wife?" 

"No  Sue;  I  wish  to  the  Lord  I  had  never  seen 
him." 

"  Well,  Missus,  what  am  to  become  ob  me  and 
dese  little  childrens  ?" 

"  I  will  see  that  you  are  provided  for;  you  have 


OR  THE  JEALOUS  WIPE.  33 

long  been  my  faithful  servant,  and  I  will  reward 
you  for  your  constancy  and  devotion  to  me.  I  feel 
very  tired  and  must  lay  down;  make  me  a  cup  of 
strong  tea,  Sue,  and  bring  it  to  my  bedroom." 

"  Missus,  will  you  hab  some  toast  wid  it?" 

"  A  small  piece  of  dry  toast,  Sue;  prepare  me  in 
the  morning  a  nice  broiled  chicken  and  some  milk 
biscuit  for  breakfast." 

"  Yes,  Missus." 

When  morning  came,  Sue  had  breakfast  prepared 
in  good  style,  and  knocked  at  the  bedroom  door  to 
arouse  her  mistress.  No  response  came;  she 
knocked  a  second  and  a  third  time  without  effect, 
and  said:  "I  wonder  if  poor  Missus  am  dead?" 
She  then  tried  the  door  and  found  it  secure;  she 
rushed  out  and  called: 

"  Peter,  come  here;  I  believe  Missus  am  dead  !  " 

He  laughed  and  said: 

"  Wat  for  you  tink  dat  ?" 

"  I  been  knock,  knock,  knock,  at  de  bedroom 
door;  Missus  no  answer." 

"  Ho  !  ho  !  Missus  ben  up  dis  two  hours;  gone 
take  a  walk  down  in  de  meddow." 

The  morning  was  one  that  would  have  enchanted 
the  soul  of  any  lover  of  Nature;  the  air  was  pure, 
balmy,  and  fragrant  with  the  odors  of  flowers  drip 
ping  with  the  dew-drops  and  nodding  to  the  gentle 
breezes  of  heaven;  the  sun  was  just  peeping  from 
behind  the  Eastern  hills;  all  aided  to  make  the 
scenery  lovely,  and  the  music  of  the  birds  floated 
on  every  wafting  breeze. 

In  a  short  time  Mrs.  B.  returned  to  breakfast. 
Sue  was  busy  in  arranging  her  cooking  utensils. 
Mrs.  B.  stole  silently  up  behind  her,  and  seized 


34  NELLIE   BROWN 

Sue  in  a  playful  manner.     Sue  was  frightened  and 
came  very  near  leaping  into  the  fire. 

"  Missus,  am  dat  you  ?  You  scare  me  almost  to 
death;  I  been  knock,  knock,  at  your  door  and  no 
body  answer;  I  tough t  you  ded;  Peter  tell  me  you 
go  take  a  warke." 

"  No  danger,  Sue,  of  my  dying,  I  trust,  until  I 
make  an  example  of  my  good  friends." 

"  Dat  am  so;  hee  !  hee!  Missus;  I  tell  you  dis 
bressed  morning  dat  de  debbil  am  bout  dis  place." 

"  Yes,  Sue." 

"  I  set  up  in  de  kitchen  de  oder  night  Missus;  I 
hear  someting  out  in  de  yard  like  people's  talking; 
I  go  out  dere;  I  look  eberywere;  I  see  noting;  I 
come  in  and  fastend  de  door;  I  sit  down  by  de  fire; 
de  door  fly  open;  tree  peoples  walk  in;  de  one  in 
front  all  dressed  in  white,  de  odder  two  in  black; 
my  hair  stand  on  my  head;  I  trimble;  to  sabe  ray  life 
I  could  not  move;  dem  in  black  wanted  to  come  up 
to  me;  de  one  in  white  stand  before  dem;  and  said 
1  De  time  is  not  come !  we  must  depart !  *  Oh  ! 
Missus,  I  fell  on  my  knees  and  prayed  to  de  Lord 
to  take  dem  away;  de  door  slam  and  bang  like  de 
earthquake;  de  house  rock  like  de  cradle;  when  dey 
went  out,  I  got  up  and  went  to  shut  de  door;  some- 
ting  pushed  de  door  open  and  said:  'It's  time  you 
had  left  here;  what  are  you  doing  here  dis  hour  of 
de  night?'  I  tought  I  die,  Missus;  I  nebber  be  so 
scared  in  my  life;  de  sweat  rolled  down  me  like 
water  been  poured  on  me;  I  left  de  kitchen  and 
started  for  de  bed;  I's  so  weak  I  tought  I'd  fall 
on  de  floor." 

"  Sue,  you  are  so  superstitious;  it's  nothing  in  the 
world  but  imagination." 

"  Well,  Missus,  if  dat  am  imagination,  I  nebber 


OB  THE  JEALOUS  WIFE.  35 

want  to  see  it  again;  I  tell  you,  Missus,  dis  place 
am  haunted;  I  lay  one  night  wid  my  eyes  open'd; 
I  felt  de  cobber  mobe;  I  pull  it  up-  something  pnli 
it  away;  I  pulled  it  again;  something  jerked  it  on  de 
floor;  I  look;  I  see  noting;  I  get  up  outob  de  bed 
to  pick  up  de  cobber;  someting  open  de  door;  I 
drop'd  de  cobber  and  got  under  de  bed;  a  light 
shined  in  de  room  like  a  lamp,  and  den  all  was  dark; 
I  tought  Fd  sink." 

"  Why  did  you  not  speak  of  this  before,  Sue?77 

"  Well,  Missus,  I  tought  you  might  get  'fraid,  and 
lebe  de  house." 

"  Nonsense;  Sue,  you  talk  so  silly." 

"  Dat  am  as  true  as  I  born  to  die,  Missus." 

"  Sue,  I  have  no  desire  to  hear  any  such  foolish 
ness;  I  suppose  you  were  dreaming." 

<:No,  Missus;  I  see  it  wid  dese  eyes  open." 

During  the  conversation,  Peter  entered  the  bed 
room  with  a  letter  for  his  Mistress,  who  opened  and 
glanced  over  it;  she  exclaimed,  "  I  am  betrayed." 

"Where  did  you  get   this   letter   Peter?" 
Mr.  Shepherd,  de  postoffice  man,  gibe  it  to  me." 

"  Peter  tell  rne  the  truth;  have  you  not  been  to 
the  Widow's  ?  " 

"  No,  Missus." 

"  For  the  life  of  me  I  cannot  place  confidence  in 
you;  what  questions  were  asked  you  when  this  let 
ter  was  given  to  you  ?" 

"  Nofing,  Missus." 

"  Peter,  don't  tell  me  an  untruth." 

"  Well,  Missus,  he  asked  me  if  dar  was  some 
trouble  wid  you  and  de  Widow." 

"  What  did  you  tell  him,  Sir  ?" 

14  Don  no,  Sar." 

"  Ah !  Peter,  you  are  a  deceptive   Negro,   and 


36  NELLIE  BROWN 

well  deserve  to  be  punished.  As  sure  as  your  mas 
ter  returns  you  will  not  fail  to  give  him  a  foil  his 
tory  of  what  has  transpired  during  his  absence;  it 
is  your  style;  I  guarantee  that  my  so-called  compan 
ion  has  related  this  matter  to  the  Widow." 

WIDOW'S  LETTER  TO  MRS.  B. 

MAIN  ROAD,  July  15th. 

Mrs.  Brown — Much  to  my  mortification  and  sur 
prise  I  have  been  informed  that  you  and  others  are 
in  league  to  vilify  and  traduce  my  character  without 
the  slightest  justification.  From  our  long  acquaint 
ance  and  the  friendly  relations  we  have  sustained 
to  each  other,  this  alone  should  have  induced  you 
to  act  justly  and  honorably  toward  me.  Why 
did  you  not  speak  of  this  like  a  frank  woman 
yesterday,  when  you  were  here  ?  No  !  You  con 
cealed  your  hatred.  How  could  you  be  so  treach 
erous  and  deceptive  ?  I  am  truly  proud  I  have  no 
remorse  of  conscience.  I  have  lived  above  suspi 
cion,  and  I  have  never  given  you  the  slightest  cause 
to  treat  me  so  unbecoming  a  lady.  A  pure  heart 
fosters  not  the  poisonous  reptile  of  revenge.  Frank 
ness  is  a  virtue  amd  conceals  not  deception.  You 
have  acted  unwisely  and  imprudent;  unbecoming  a 
woman  of  your  standing  and  education.  I  consider 
those  who  condescend  to  stoop  so  low  far  beneath 
my  notice.  Duty  alone  prompts  me  to  speak  in  my 
own  defence,  bring  my  accusers  face  to  face  and  I 
will  silence  them,  like  Maria  Antoinette;  her  perse 
cutors  led  her  as  a  lamb  to  the  slaughter;  sacri 
ficed  her  upon  the  altar  of  hate;  a  purer  woman  the 
sun  never  shone  upon.  Am  I  the  victim  of  a  base 
conspiracy,  selected  to  be  sacrificed  upon  the  bluody 
altar  of  revenge?  Do  I  merit  it?  No  !  No!  I  demand 
a  fair  and  honorable  investigation.  Remember  that 
virtue  is  a  jewel,  a  character  ungalvanized  is  of  far 
more  value  than  gold  and  silver.  How  true  the 
friendship  of  earth  is  but  a  name;  it  has  become 
merchandise;  sold  in  the  market-place  to  trie  highest 
bidder.  How  could  you  be  so  unfeeling  and  unjust 
to  one  who  has  ever  been  your  true  and  faithful 


OR  THE  JEALOUS  WIFE.  37 

friend?  There  is  a  day  coming  when  the  secrets  of 
all  hearts  will  be  revealed.  The  pure  mid  the  just 
shall  receive  justice  at  the  hands  of  that  Jud^e  who 
shall  iudcre  the  world  at  his  righteous  bar. 
the  wicked  shall  cease  from  troubling  and  the  weary 
shall  ever  be  at  rest."  WIDOW. 

Sue,  with    astonishment,  gazed    at  her  mistress 
while  scanning  over  this  letter,  and  said: 
"  Missus,  am  dat  letter  from  de  Widow  ?" 
"  Yes,  Sue,  it  is;  and  I  will   bet   my  head  your 
master  has  posted  her." 

"She  am  de  angel  of  Satan;  she  ought  to  have 
her  back  broken,  dat  Widow;  dat  Peter,  Missus,who 
bring  dat  letter,  he  am  deep  as  de  sea,  and  de  truf 
he  nebber  tell;  he  am  a  chip  of  de  old  block;  I 
know  his  father  Jack;  he  was  de  biggest  liar  in  de 
world;  and  all  dem  darkys  he  raised  is  bad;  how 
can  him,  Peter,  be  good  ?  You  send  him  to  de  post- 
office,  I  belibe  he  been  to  de  widow's  house,  and  tell 
her  all  about  dis  ting." 

"  What  makes  you  think  so,  Sue  ?" 
"  Cause  de  oder  day  wen  we  talk,  he  put  his  head 
in   de  door    and    drew  it  back  for  fear    you  see 

him." 

11  Like  his  Master,  Sue;  Peter  is  mean  enough  to 
do  anything.  But  we  should  give  Satan  his  due;  I 
don't  think  he  was  at  the  Widow's." 

Little  Maggie,  during  the  conversation,  fell  off  the 
porch  and  screamed:  this  attracted  their  attention 
to  the  front  door,  and  greatly  to  their  surprise  they 
saw  Mr.  B.  riding  down  the  lane  leading  to  the 
barn.  Sue  exclaimed:  "  Missus,  dar  am  Massa  Ben." 
He  rode  up  to  the  barn  and  called  Peter. 

"  I  declar,  Massa,  I'se  been  looking  for  you  dis 
three  days." 

"  Peter,  take  good  care  of  Queen." 


38  NELLIE  BROWN 

"  Yes,  sar."  Peter  led  Queen  to  the  barn  and  his 
master  followed. 

"  Well,  Peter,  how  are  matters  here  ?  How  is 
your  mistress  and  the  children  ?" 

"  De  childrens  is  fine,  sar;  Missus  am  de  same." 

"  Is  she  still  in  bad  humor?  " 

"  Yes,  sar;  and  for  the  Lord  sake  don't  tell  her 
I  tell  you,  Massa;  she  rode  me  up  Salt  Ribber." 

"  What  for,  Peter  ?" 

"  I  get  a  letter  from  de  postoffice  man,  sar,  and 
gib  it  to  her.  She  seem  very  mad,  sar — for  de  heaven 
sake  don't  breve  what  I  tell  you." 

"  What  did  she  say,  Peter  ?" 

"  She  says  she  hab  no  faith  in  me,  sar;  dat  I  am 
your  pet  Nigger.  She  tell  me  not  to  tell  you  about 
dat  letter,  sar.  Now,  Massa  Ben,  don't  say  I  tell 
dis  ting." 

"  Who  do  you  think  it's  from,  Peter?" 

Well,  sar,  I  speck  its  from  dat  Widow  who  hab 
made  all  dis  fuss." 

"  Did  she  say  it  was  from  the  Widow  ?" 

"  No,  sar;  but  you  see  dat  Sue  am  very  cunning; 
she's  Missus'  friend,  sar;  I  heard  deiii  talk  about  de 
letter;  I  listen  at  de  door,  sar;  Sue,  she  started  to 
see  if  I  was  dar;  I  run  to  keep  dem  from  seeing  me, 
Massa." 

Mr.  B.  hung  his  head  and  started  for  the  house; 
as  he  entered  the  house  Mrs.  B.  met  him.  He 
said  : 

"  How  do  you  do,  Nellie  ?" 

"  How  dare  you  speak  to  me  ?  If  I  was  a  man, 
and  a  woman  would  treat  me  with  the  contempt  I 
have  treated  you,  I  would  shun  her  as  I  would  a 
viper;  you  lack  the  dignity  of  a  man  and  the  princi 
ples  of  a  gentleman.  Consider  me,  sir,  forever  your 


OR   THE  JEALOUS   WIFE.  39 

enemy.     You  have  planted  revenge  and  hate  deep 
in  my  heart.     Your  doom,  sir,  is  forever  sealed." 

"Nellie?" 

"  Begone  from  my  sight;  the  look  of  you  disgusts 
me.  You,  sir,  are  past  atoning  for  your  sins." 

"  Nellie,do  you  intend  to  destroy  my  happiness,  and 
bring  me  to  the  grave  in  sorrow  ?  Ihave  possessed 
the  patience  of  Job;  I  still  entertain  for  you  a  hus 
band's  love.  Time  can  never  blot  you  from  my 
memory,  though  you  have  treated  me  harsh  and 
wrongfully." 

"  I,  sir,  scorn  your  love  and  detest  your  sympathy 
for  myself  and  those  cherished  babes.  If  I  thought 
for  a  moment  that  they  possessed  a  single  trait  of 
the  man  who  is  their  father,  I  would  bind  them  fast 
with  the  cords  of  death  and  with  joy  close  their  eyes 
forever  upon  the  scenes  of  this  world  of  wretch 
edness,  notwithstanding  they  are  the  apples  of  my 
eye  and  the  jewels  of  my  heart.  You  have  doomed 
me  forever  to  sorrow  and  affliction.  I  feel  like  one 
that  has  no  earthly  hope;  far  better  would  it  have 
been  for  me  had  I  never  hearkened  to  the  treacher 
ous  deception  of  man.  Death,  truly,  would  be  a  wel 
come  messenger  to  me;  I  would  welcome  his  stern 
decree." 

"  Nellie,  oh  !  that  I  could  induce  you  no  longer  to 
be  the  slave  of  jealousy  and  suspicion;  free  yourself 
from  that  tyrant,  it  knows  no  bounds;  it  has  no 
sympathy;  with  its  crimson  hand  it  has  slain  thous 
ands  of  victims.  I  trust  you  will  see  your  error 
and  repent;  walk  in  the  highways  uninhabited  by 
suspicious  characters.  Then  it  is  you  will  be  happy 
in  time  and  eternity.  Would  the  wise  and  the 
good  be  the  victims  of  jealousy,  hate  and  revenge? 
No !  no  !  neyer !  Jealousy  discriminates  not  be- 


40  NELLIE   BROWN 

tween  its  friends  and  its  foes.  Ever  give  me  a 
heart  pure  from  the  curse;  clothe  yourself  with  those 
noble  principles  that  make  woman  the  beauty  of 
creation.  If  you  will  but  hearken  to  those  instruc 
tions,  the  sunshine  of  peace  will  again  dawn  upon 
your  pathway;  the  present  and  the  future  will  again 
be  joyous  to  you.  Be  wise  and  cease  forever  to  be 
the  dupe  of  jealousy." 

*•  You  have  admonished  me  to  walk  in  the  high 
ways  uninhabited  by  suspicious  characters.  Do  you 
practice  the  doctrines  you  teach  ?  No,  sir;  far  from 
it.  I  command  you  to  return  to  the  paths  of  virtue 
and  chastity,  and  walk  in  the  ways  of  the  just. 
Cease  to  do  evil  and  learn  to  do  good.  No  longer 
be  the  cringing  fawn  of  sin  and  vice.  Be  a  free 
man  !  Stand  upon  the  broad  principles  of  right. 
But,  alas  !  I  fear  it  is  too  late.  Vice  has  become 
your  companion  and  sin  your  guide.  Who,  sir, 
informed  the  Widow  of  our  troubles?  Who  ad 
vised  her  to  be  on  her  guard?  You,  sir,  have 
become  her  lackey;  you  have  condescended  to  drag 
your  domestic  affairs  before  the  world  and  painted 
in  glowing  colors  your  deception.  I'll  make  known 
and  publish  your  crimes  and  prove  you  are  the 
evil  genius  I  have  represented  you  to  be.  No 
hypocritical  garb  shall  conceal  your  sins  from  the 
eyes  of  the  world;  you  have  given  it  publicity;  Fli 
follow  the  example.  Truth  is  as  terrible  to  such  as 
the  roaring  peal  of  distant  thunder  is  to  the  un 
trained  colt.  Will  you  be  admonished  to  repent 
of  your  sins  ?  Take  refuge  under  the  wing  of  a 
merciful  God.  You,  sir,  are  competent  to  draw 
beautiful  illustrations  from  fiction,  and  would  have 
the  world  believe  that  you  are  as  pure  and  innocent 
as  an  angel.  You  have  played  well  your  part,  but  at 


OR   THE  JEALOUS   WIFE.  41 

a  fearful  cost.  The  way  of  the  transgressor  truly  is 
hard;  'thy  sins  have  found  thee  out.'  Are  you  the 
man  to  reprove  me?  Nol  cleanse  your. heart  and 
your  hands  from  all  unrighteousness.  Time  has  told 
the  doleful  tale;  thrice  guilty  are  you.  Your  heart 
is  like  a  sepulchre,  it  is  full  of  rottenness  and  cor 
ruption.  You  advise  me  to  clothe  myself  with  those 
principles  that  make  woman  the  loveliest  of  creation. 
Go,  thou  Judas,  and  clothe  thyself  with  the  gar 
ments  of  purity  and  dignity.77 

Reader,  we  shall  leave  Mr.  and  Mrs.  B.  for  the 
present  and  return  to  Mrs.  H.  and  her  friend. 


CHAPTER  II. 

"  Lawrence,  do  you  intend  going  to  the  village  ?" 
asked  Mrs.  H. 

•"  Yes,7'  said  Lawrence;  "  I  shall  start  soon.77 

"  Call  on  Aunt  Polly  Williams  and  ask  her  to 
come  down;  I  want  to  see  her  on  particular  busi 
ness.7' 

"  What  in  the  world  do  you  want  with  the  old 
humbug  of  a  fortune-teller  ?" 

"  Don't  talk  so  simple.  Will  you  do  as  I  have 
requested  ?  It  is  a  little  out  of  your  way,  and  if 
you  deliver  the  message  she  will  be  here  inside  of 
an  hour.  It  is  but  a  short  distance  to  her  place 
from  the  road." 

"  Yes;  I  will  tell  her,  at  the  same  time  I  want  but 
little  to  do  with  her  kind.77 

Lawrence  delivered  his  message.  The  old  sooth 
sayer  started  and  in  a  short  time  she  knocked  at 
the  door  of  Mrs.  H.'s  dwelling.  The  door  was 
opened  by  the  landlady,  who  said: 

"  Dear  me.  Aunt  Polly,  I  am  delighted  to  see  you; 


42  NELLIE  BROWN 

I  have  a  good  job  for  you,  and  if  you  arrange  your 
plans  right  you  can  make  money  out  of  it." 

"  Yes;  that  is  just  what  I  am  after,"  said  Aunt 
Polly.  "  I  am  the  woman  to  secure  it  if  opportunity 
permits;  tell  me  who  the  parties  are,  and  if  you 
think  they  will  stand  bleeding." 

14  Mrs.  B.  and  her  husband  are  at  dagger  points 
all  about  this  neighbor  of  mine,  the  Widow.  She 
has  caused  Mr.  B.  to  neglect  his  wife  and  children; 
he  is  much  devoted  to  the  Widow.  I  put  Mrs.  B. 
on  his  track;  you  know  that  I  am  a  good  hand  to 
catch  such  fellows.  Mrs.  B.  wants  to  gather  suffi 
cient  evidence  in  order  to  obtain  a  bill;  she  is  to  be 
here  to-morrow;  I  recommended  you  to  her  very 
highly;  she  wishes  to  secure  your  services  in  this 
affair;  she  has  the  means;  if  not,  a  friend  (unknown 
to  her),  has  offered  to  assist  her  if  required;  this 
gentleman  is  desperately  in  love  with  her,  but  she 
knows  it  not;  indeed,  we  are  very  fortunate  to  get 
lovers  for  our  clients." 

"I  will  play  my  part  to  perfection  ;*ryou  can  rely 
on  that,"  replied  Aunt  Polly.  "  What  do  you  think 
she  will  really  stand  to  get  this  matter  under  her 
control.  We  can  operate  more  successfully  for  her 
than  any  other  parties." 

"  She  has  implicit  confidence  in  me;  I  have  been 
the  main  spring  in  opening  up  the  affair;  I  informed 
her  of  the  pretended  friendship  of  the  Widow  and 
the  faithlessness  of  her  companion;  I  caught  him 
nicely;  I  am  satisfied  to  get  this  whole  matter  in  a 
nutshell;  I  think  she  will  give  one  hundred  dollars; 
at  the  same  time  if  she  flinches,  do  not  refuse  fifty." 

"  I  will  propose  to  her  one  hundred  dollars,  and 
you  must  express  your  surprise  at  the  reasonable 
ness  of  the  charge,  individually,  for  fear  that  she 


OR  THE  JEALOUS  WIFE.  43 

might  think  we  were  equally  interested  in  making 
it  a  speculation.  When  do  you  expect  her,  to-mor 
row  ?" 

"  Yes;  everything  will  be  in  readiness;  I  think 
it  will  be  a  capital  idea  to  bring  Martha  Lovejoy 
over  with  you;  you  are  aware  that  she  has  been  in 
the  same  fix  and  is  an  excellent  talker." 

"  That  is  a  good  proposition,  and  I  think  it  will 
have  its  effect,"  said  Aunt  Polly.  "  I  am  a  little 
in  a  hurry;  I  cannot  stay  long.  So  good-bye." 

"  Don't  fail  to  be  on  hand  to-morrow  at  the 
appointed  time."  remarked  Mrs.  H. 

Mrs.  B.,  according  to  promise,  made  the  necessary 
preparations  to  revisit  Mrs.  H.  the  following  day. 
She  started  the  next  day,  and,  to  avoid  passing  the 
Widow's,  she  concluded  to  walk.  She  ordered  Sue 
to  take  good  care  of  the  children;  bade  Sue  good-bye, 
and  started  across  the  lower  meadow.  Strange 
emotions  filled  her  throbbing  breast;  half  an  hour's 
walk  brought  her  to  the  door  of  Mrs.  H.  She 
knocked  and  was  received  cordially. 

"  Kiss  me,  darling,"  exclaimed  Mrs.  H.  "  I  am 
delighted  to  see  you;  you  look  like  one  heart 
broken.  How  have  you  been  getting  along  since 
you  were  here  ?" 

"  The  storm  still  rages,"  replied  Mrs.  B. 

"  I  expected  it,  and  have  been  thinking  of  you 
ever  since  you  left.  Walk  into  the  sitting-room. 
(They  entered;.  Mrs.  B.,  allow  me  to  introduce 
you  to  my  lady  friends,  Mrs.  Martha  Lovejoy  and 
Mrs.  Hopkins,"  who  were  anxiously  waiting  her 
arrival. 

They  received  the  introduction  very  cheerfully, 
and  seemed  highly  gratified.  Mrs.  B.  looked  at 


44  NELLIE  BROWN 

Aunt  Polly  with  surprise;  she  looked  more  like  a 
visitor  fiom  the  Land  of  Pandemonium  than  a 
a  human  being, 

"  I  suppose,  Mrs.  Hopkins,  that  you  are  aware  of 
my  mission  here  to-day  ?"  asked  Mrs.  B. 

"  You  look  like  one  in  great  distress  of  mind," 
said  Aunt  Polly.  "  I  have  no  doubt  that  you  are 
the  subject  of  sorrow  and  disconsolation." 

"  It  is  just  this:  I  wish  to  know  if  I  am  wronged 
by  my  companion  and  the  woman  who  professes  to  be 
my  devoted  friend.  I  wish  you  to  tell  me  who  the 
parties  are  that  seek  my  destruction,  and  designate 
them  definitely;  I  also  wish  to  know  your  price." 

"  Well,  dear  child,  you  know  it  requires  a  deal  of 
time,  energy  and  shrewdness  to  get  this  matter  in 
shape,  I  shall  charge  you  one  hundred  dollars." 

"  That  is  more  than  I  can  afford,"  replied  Mrs.  B. 

"  This  is  a  delicate  matter  and  should  be  handled 
with  kid  gloves,"  added  Mrs.  H.,  with  a  bright 
smile  on  her  countenance!  She  then  remarked  to 
Mrs.  B.  that  she  had  news  of  interest  to  relate  to  her. 

"I  suppose  those  present  are  cognizant  of  it?" 
asked  Mrs.  B. 

"Yes;  we  are  confidants.  I  should  apologize 
to  you  for  being  so  inconsiderate  or  hasty,  as 
you  may  think.  However,  I  have  a  duty  to 
perform.  There  is  a  friend  of  mine  and  well- 
wisher  of  yours,  and  I  do  not  hesitate  in  saying  that 
he  loves  you — but  for  the  world  he  would  not  have 
it  made  public;  he  is  an  intimate  acquaintance  of 
your  husband;  he  is  desirous  to  advance  your  inter 
ests  in  this  matter,  and  will  give  any  amount  to 
assist  you  in  your  difficulties." 

Mrs.  B.'s  face  flushed,  and  anger,  seemed  to  have 
taken  possession  of  her  soul;  sheasked: 


OR   THE  JEALOUS   WIFE.  45 

"  Are  not  these  strange  proceedings  ?  Who  do 
you  take  me  to  be  ?  I  came  not  here  to  seek 
lovers,  but  friends,  and  in  search  of  simple  justice." 

"  I  hope,  dear  Madam,  that  I  have  not  offended 
you.  Regard  me  as  your  friend,  and  not  your  foe. 
I  know  that  the  sentiments  you  have  expressed  are 
just  and  right.  At  the  same  time  friends  are  often 
necessary  to  enable  us  to  succeed  in  accomplishing 
our  desires  in  life." 

"  I  am  truly  aware  of  that;  friendship  is  one 
thing  and  love  is  another.  When  you  speak  of  love, 
that  produces  a  horror  in  my  bosom;  I  ask  not  for 
the  love  of  any  man.  If  I  have  a  friend  who  will 
render  me  assistance,  without  obligating  myself  to 
him,  it  would  be  accepted,  but  I  must  first  know  that 
he  is  a  gentleman  of  principle.  Who  is  the  gentle 
man  ?" 

"  He  is,  indeed,  a  gentleman  of  the  first  class; 
and,  if  you  should  succeed  in  obtaining  a  bill,  and 
would  accept  his  offer,  you  would  never  be  in  want  of 
a  dollar  nor  the  comforts  of  life,  the  longest  day  you 
live.  Is  it  not  so,  Martha  ?" 

"  Yes, indeed  !  I  almost  begrudge, her  the  chance 
to  become  the  wife  of  such  a  splendid  man;  he  is  a 
perfect  gentleman;  I  have  known  him  for  the  last 
four  years.  There  are  girls  in  this  neighborhood 
who  would  give  their  two  eyes  to  get  him;  I  don't 
know  but  what  I  would  try  to  shuffle  off  my  old 
man  if  I  thought  I  could  induce  him  to  make  me 
the  offer,  notwithstanding  I  have  no  fault  to  find 
with  my  companion— he  treats  me  like  a  baby.  At 
the  same  time,  you  know,  money  is  what  induces  us 
to  love." 

"  Ladies,  I  have  heard  patiently  your  advice,  and 
thank  you  kindly  for  the  interest  you  have  mani- 


46  NELLIE  BROWN 

Tested  in  ray  behalf,"  said  Mrs.  B.  "To  offer  me  a 
friend  who  is,  perhaps,  an  entire  stranger  into  my 
confidence  and  affections,  and  relate  to  him  my  pri 
vate  affairs  is  more  than  I  can  condescend  to  do, 
however  honestly  disposed  he  may  be.  What 
would  my  friends  think  of  me  for  pursuing  such  a 
course?  Would  they  not  forsake  me?  Yes,  and 
leave  me  a  total  wreck.  I  should  feel  more  than 
condemned  to  act  thus  imprudent;  I  love  my  chil 
dren  with  a  mother's  love;  I  have  a  character  to 
sustain,  and  trust  I  may  never  bring  disgrace  upon 
myself  and  children.  Do  inform  me  who  this  gen 
tleman  is,  and  what  has  induced  him  to  make  me 
those  liberal  propositions  ?  I  think  it  not  only  a 
bold  act,  but  indeed  a  rash  one." 

"  J.  Oldham  is  the  man,"  replied  Mrs.  H. 

"  Can  it  be  true  ?  I  never  could  be  more  surprised ; 
he  is  the  last  man  that  I  would  have  dreamed  of,"  ex 
claimed  Mrs.  B. 

"  It  is  nothing  to  have  a  gentleman  friend  in 
these  times,  and  it  is  becoming  fashionable." 

"  It  is  very  strange  that  he  should  again  fall  in 
love  with  me." 

"  Then  he  is  not  a  stranger  to  you  ?" 

"  No;  he  is  not.  He  is  the  first  man  that  I  ever 
loved  in  days  gone  by,  when  my  heart  knew  no 
sorrows,  no  anguish,  no  pain.  But  I  am  truly  sur 
prised  to  know,  after  the  lapse  of  so  many  year?, 
that  he  loves  me  still;  I  cannot  realize  it  to  be 
true.  I  have  known  him  since  I  was  a  school-girl. 
We  have  often  played  together  in  the  morn  of  life." 

"  Allow  me  to  inform  you  that  I  have  a  confiden 
tial  letter  from  him  for  you,  which,  I  will  hand  you 
to  read,"  said  Mrs.  H.  She  drew  the  letter  from  her 
pocket  and  presented  it  to  Mrs.  B.,  who  glanced 


OR  THE  JEALOUS  WIFE.  47 

over  it,  and  strange  to  say,  tears,  which  had  not 
flown  since  the  death  of  a  beloved  brother,  stole 
down  her  cheeks;  she  struggled  to  conceal  her  feel 
ings,  but  in  vain.  She  said: 

"Can  it  be  true  ?" 

The  letter  read  thus: — 

CENTRE VILLE,  Aug.  2d. 
MRS.  BROWN  : 

Dear  Madam — I  hope  you  will  pardon  my  boldness, 
and  perhaps  (in  your  judgment)  imprudent  course. 
The  esteem  I  have  long  entertained  for  you,  alone 
induced  me  to  address  you  this  letter — hoping  you 
will  not  condemn  me  for  the  liberty  I  have  taken  in 
writing  you  these  lines.  We  are  all  creatures  of 
circumstances,  and  few  there  are  who  have  not  erred 
in  life.  I  know  you  to  be  a  lady  of  high  mental 
culture  and  refined  feelings.  You  have  long  been 
in  my  thoughts  by  day  and  dreams  by  night.  But 
I  will  not  dwell  upon  the  past.  I  am  satisfied  you 
merit  far  better  treatment  and  a  more  congenial 
companion.  Duty  prompts  me  to  offer  you  aid,  and 
my  influence;  I  feel  deeply  interested  in  your  behalf, 
having  known  you  from  childhood.  Then  you  were 
as  cheerful  as  a  lark  in  autumn.  Time  has  not  ob 
literated  you  from  my  memory,  though  our  acquaint- 
tance  has  not  been  renewed  for  many  years.  How 
true,  the  world  is  the  great  theatre  and  the  sons  and 
daughters  of  man  the  actors.  Life  has  its  joys  and 
its  woes,  and  but  few  of  us  are  free  from  sorrow, 
and  the  ills  that  attend  the  journey  of  life.  It  is 
the  love  of  God  that  sweetens  our  sorrows  and  en 
ables  us  to  bid  defiance  to  life's  transitory  and  bit 
ter  trials.  What  man  possessed  of  a  soul  or  a  spark 
of  dignity  could  treat  you  so  ?  I  am  not  deceived 
in  the  man  who  claims  you  for  his  wife.  He  is  un 
worthy  of  so  noble  a  woman,  and  is  far  from  being 
your  equal  socially  or  in  point  of  education.  Re 
member  I  am  still  your  friend,  and  hesitate  not  to 
make  known  to  me  your  wants.  Hope  is  truly  the 
anchor  of  the  soul,  and  enables  many  to  keep  their 
heads  above  the  surging  billows  of  despair.  J  trust 


48  NELLIE   BROWN 

that  a  brighter  future  awaits  you.  The  true  test  of 
friends  is  to  be  judged  by  their  acts.  Give  me  a 
friend  who  is  ready  and  willing  to  rescue  me  from  the 
whirlpool  of  adversity,  and  the  wheel  of  misfortune, 
under  which  so  many  have  been  crushed.  Too  oft  we 
have  the  pretended  smiles  of  some  who  hesitate  not 
to  obstruct  our  pathway.  I  fear  not  an  open  foe; 
deliver  me  from  foes  in  disguise;  they  are  danger 
ous.  My  purse  is  open  to  you.  In  conclusion,  I 
have  faith  in  your  integrity,  and  have  thrown  my 
self  entirely  upon  your  mercy;  I  wish  you  to  de 
stroy  this  letter.  Carry  this  matter  to  the  grave — 
a  secret.  I  shall  be  more  than  happy  to  advance 
your  interests,  socially  and  pecuniarily. 

Yours  affectionately, 

JOE.  OLDHAM. 

Mrs.  B.,  after  glancing  over  the  above  letter, 
seemed  to  be  shocked  as  by  electricity.  In  a  few 
moments  she  exclaimed: 

"  Who  would  have  believed  it  ?  Love,  truly,  is 
like  a  stream;  ever  running  on,  and  on,  to  the 
great  ocean  of  affection.  Its  course  is  hard  to 
change.'"' 

Mrs.  H.  smiled,  Martha  Lovejoy  laughed  heartily 
and  said: 

"  Love  is  a  giant  to  contend  against.  He  takes 
his  subjects  captive  at  his  will  and  binds  them  as 
with  chains." 

"  What  do  you  think  of  things  now  ?"  inquired 
Mrs.  E. 

"  I  dare  not  say,"  she  replied  with  a  faint  smile 
upon  her  countenance. 

Aunt  Polly  raised  up  her  spectacles  and  re 
marked: 

"  It's  time  our  work  had  commenced." 

"  I  consider  the  price  very  exorbitant,  as  I  said 
before,"  said  Mrs.  B. 

"  I  refer  you  to  Martha  Lovejoy;  she  was  in  the 


OR  THE   JEALOUS   WIFE.  49 

same  fix  as  yourself,  she  is  present  and  can  speak 
for  herself." 

"  I  am  indeed  indebted  to  you  Aunt  Polly  and 
Mrs.  H.,  for  my  success  in  obtaining  a  bill,"  said 
Martha.  "Had  it  not  been  for  your  influence  I 
would  still  be  the  slave  of  my  former  husband. 
Had  I  not  been  young  and  foolish  ne'er  would  I 
have  been  caught  in  such  a  trap.  It's  true,  we  are 
all  liable  to  be  deceived.  That  marriage  was  the 
great  error  of  my  life." 

"  We  often  choose  those  for  our  bosom  friends 
whom  nature  nor  heaven  never  designed,"  continued 
Mrs.  H. 

"  Truly,"  said  Mrs.  B.}  "  no  mortal  has  ex 
perienced  it  more  sensibly  than  myself;  I  am  mis 
erable;  brought  on  by  the  frailty  and  deception 
of  the  man  whom  I  have  been  so  silly  and  foolish 
as  to  love  and  cherish  I  would  give  the  world 
to  be  released  from  him;  I  have  fully  made  up  my 
mind  to  die  rather  than  to  live  with  him.  I  would 
suffer  myself  to  be  banished  to  some  distant  isle  in 
the  sea,  uninhabited  by  the  children  of  men." 

"I  truly  sympathize  with  you,"  said  Aunt  Polly. 
"  It  is  a  horrible  condition  to  be  in." 

"  I  will  give  you  fifty  dollars;  twenty-five  I 
will  pay  you  in  hand,  the  remainder  I'll  pay  at 
some  future  time." 

"  I  will  accept  your  offer  on  one  condition. " 

"  Pray  what  is  the  condition  ?" 

"  I  have  no  desire  to  chose  for  you  a  friend  and 
a  lover;  it  is  for  your  benefit  alone  I  speak  of  him, 
knowing  that  you  can  find  no  truer  friend  in  all 
Virginia.  Remember  well  he  is  no  short  stock;  no 
bob-tail  aristocracy;  he  is  of  the  first  families  of 
this  country,  and  strictly  a  gentleman.  No  woman 


50  NELLIE    BROWN 

in  your  condition  should  for  a  moment  hesitate  to 
accept  the  offer." 

"  I  have  every  reason  to  believe  he  is  all  you 
represent  him  to  be.  I  have  known  him  many 
years  and  once  loved  him  as  my  own  life.  Time 
has  blunted  that  love.  You  must  remember  those 
things  cannot  be  consummated  in  a  day.  It  behoves 
me  to  act  prudent  and  cautious.  One  step  in  the 
wrong  direction  would,  perhaps,  blast  my  success 
forever," 

"  That  is  true,  child;  but  ventures  make  mer 
chants.  Without  some  risk,  there  is  little  to  be 
gained." 

Indeed,  if  I  were  in  your  situation  I  would  take 
such  chances  every  day  in  the  week,  and  care  but 
little  as  to  what  outsiders"  would  say,"  said  Martha 
Lovejoy.  "I  have  never  known  it  to  fail;  a 
woman  who  demands  her  rights,  secures  ten  friends 
to  one  enemy.  You  know  in  such  cases,  right  or 
wrong,  women  have  the  sympathy.  It  will  never 
do  for  you  to  cringe  or  yield  to  public  opinion. 
We  are  so  constituted  we  can  live  down  whatever 
may  come  against  us  if  we  aim  to  do  so.  You  must 
remember  that  society  will  not  clothe  nor  feed  us. 
For  instance,  look  at  Mrs.  Woodland.  She  moved 
in  the  first  society;  she  was  the  idol  of  the  rich, 
surrounded  with  every  comfort  that  one  could  wish 
to  enjoy.  She  applied  and  obtained  a  bill,  and  in 
six  days  after  she  married  George  Appleton.  The 
news  spread  like  wild-fire;  her  name  was  on 
every  tongue;  but,  like  a  match,  it  soon  died  out. 
She  had  the  grit,  although  not  justified  in  leaving 
Woodland." 

"  Dear  me,"  said  Mrs.  H.,  "  I  am  astonished,  Mrs. 
B.,  you  certainly  cannot  realize  the  position  you  are 


OR  THE  JEALOUS  WIPE.  51 

placed  in.  It  is  an  old  saying,  and  a  true  one,  that 
drowning  men  will  catch  at  straws,  but  you  seem 
determined  not  to  seize  the  bark  floating  upon  the 
sea  of  life,  which  has  come  to  your  rescue;  you  are 
blind  to  your  own  interest;  a  woman  who  has  been 
treated  wrongly,  and  abused.  It  is  indeed  folly  for 
you  to  let  this  offer  pass.  It  is  not  uncommon  in  this 
country  for  a  woman  to  be  engaged  to  another  be 
fore  they  obtain  a  bill.  I  tell  you,  you  must  prepare 
yourself  for  every  emergency,  and  stop  your  ears  to 
what  babblers  may  say.  Make  up  your  mind,  thor 
oughly,  to  seek  your  own  happiness,  regardless  of 
the  praise  or  condemnation  of  others.  Martha 
Lovejoy,  like  yourself,  hesitated;  I  urged  her  up 
and  on,  until  she  became  as  fearless  as  a  lion. 
Take  courage  and  be  a  woman  after  my  own  heart; 
go  forward  and  you  shall  come  out  victorious. 
Make  up  your  mind;,  decide  to-day;  you  may  have 
a  thousand  offers,  but  never  one  like  Oldham's. 
No !  never !  Your  disposition  and  his  would  match 
to  a  charm." 

"  Ladies,"  said  Mrs  B.,  "  I  claim  to  be  a  woman 
having  some  judgment  and  experience.  It  is  a  true 
saying,  'chickens  should  not  be  counted  before  they 
are  hatched.7  If  I  was  free  to  act,  I  would  be  bet 
ter  able  to  decide.  To  commit  myself  would  subject 
me  to  ridicule  and  slander.  Secrets,  you  know, 
are  very  hard  to  keep,  and  especially  where  the 
parties  are  not  equally  interested.  We  do  not 
always  know  our  friends  from  our  enemies;  we 
often  have  friends  in  disguise.  Many  have  been 
sold  at  the  hands  of  those  they  regarded  their  bosom 
friends.  And  it  is  common  for  parties  equally 
guilty,  to  turn  State's  evidence.  Secrets  are  diffi 
cult  for  women  to  keep;  a  person  cannot  be  too 


52  NELLIE  BROWN 

cautious.  Were  I  too  accept  Mr.  Oldham's  propo 
sition,  ray  husband  has  his  friends  and  hirelings 
stationed  on  every  highway,  and  every  social  gather 
ing  in  the  neighborhood;  and  should  the  matter 
leak  out,  it  would  be  a  powerful  weapon  in  the 
hands  of  my  enemies;  and  if  defeated  , would  leave 
a  stain  upon  my  character  that  could  not  be  erased. 
Nature  is  frail  at  best.  I  have  no  desire  to  fall  a 
sacrifice  at  the  hands  of  my  enemies.  You  mnst 
admit  the  risk  is  an  adventurous  one." 

"Mrs.  B.,  we  should  not  become  alarmed  of 
danger  when  there  is  none,"  urged  Aunt  Polly. 
"If  you  will  here  agree  to  correspond  with  Mr. 
Oldham,  I  will  accept  your  offer.  This  is  the  propo 
sition  I  offer  to  you.  I  accept  the  twenty-five  dol 
lars,  which  is  no  money  for  a  job  of  this  kind." 

"  It  would  be  easy  for  me  to  answer  his  letter, 
but  other  considerations  are  to  be  looked  at  in  the 
mean  time. 

'"  Ho  1  ho!  that  is  a  matter  strictly  between  your 
selves,"  added  Mrs.  H. 

Aunt  Polly  requested  the  ladies  to  take  their  seats 
around  the  table.  She  then  drew  a  greasy  pack  of 
cards  from  her  pocket  and  drew  down  her  specta 
cles,  remarking,  "these  never  lie  to  me."  She 
cut  them  and  held  them  for  Mrs.  B.  to  draw, 
which  she  did  with  a  trembling  hand,  and  laid 
them  cautiously  upon  the  table.  Aunt  Polly  turned 
them  face  upwards  and  laid  them  in  a  row.  With 
an  excited  laugh,  she  exclaimed,  "  we  have  got 
them !  we  have  got  them !"  Martha  Lovejoy 
clapped  her  hands  and  said,  "  I  knew  it,  I  knew  it !" 

"  That's  so  1"  cried  Mrs.  H. 

"  Madam,"  said  Aunt  Polly,  "  you  can  see  for 
yourself;  here  is  your  husband  and  the  Widow, 


OR  THE  JEALOUS  WIFE.  53 

side  by  side;  here  is  the  house,  located,  according 
to  those  outside  cards,  on  the  main  line,  which  de 
notes  the  main  road,  that  runs  directly  past  her 
dwelling;  you  see  the  window  and  the  shed-porch 
that  covers  the  front;  and  here  is  the  hall  running 
directly  through  the  house.  In  it  you  see  the 
wretched  man  and  woman  holding  a  consultation; 
this  is  your  renegade  husband,  and  this  (pointing 
to  a  card),  is  your  pretended  friend,  the  Widow." 

"  I  am  fully  satisfied  cf  their  guilt,  now,"  replied 
Mrs.  B. 

"  Nothing  could  be  plainer.  If  you  continue  to 
live  with  Brown  you  deserve  to  be  discarded  by 
society,"  said  Mrs.  H. 

"I  hope,  Madam,  that  you  are  now  fully  con 
vinced  that  Aunt  Polly  is  no  humbug  ?"  exclaimed 
Martha  Lovejoy. 

"  I  would  not  live  with  such  a  man;  he  will  never, 
never,  mend  his  ways,"  said  Aunt  Polly.  "  I  have 
only  to  say,  in  conclusion,  take  the  counsel  of  a 
friend,  and  accept  the,  offer  made  you  by  Mr.  Old- 
ham." 

"  It  is  a  matter  that  requires  consideration,"  said 
Mrs.  B. 

"  You  seem  determined  to  be  doubtful  of  success," 
said  Mrs.  H. 

"  Your  case  is  as  clear  as  the  noon-day  sun.  A 
woman  never  had  a  better  case  to  carry  into  court; 
all  depends  entirely  upon  an  able  counsellor." 

"  I  should  dislike  very  much  to  obligate  myself 
without  being  confident  of  fulfilling  my  pledge.  I 
prefer  not  to  accept  any  favor  from  Mr.  Oldham  at 
present.  At  the  same  time  I  feel  truly  grateful 
to  him;  his  kindness  I  shall  not  forget." 

4 


64  NELLIE  BROWN 

She  paid  Aunt  Polly  twenty-five  dollars  in  band, 
and  said: 

'•  Ladies,  the   day  is  far  advanced  and   I   must 
hurry  home." 

"Be  careful   and  not   commit  yourself  on   your 
arrival  home/7  said  Mrs.  H.     "  We  must  teach  men 
that  they  cannot  destroy  a  woman's  happiness  and 
restore  it  when  they  think  proper  to  blarney,  or,  as 
they  call  it,  to  humor  us.     If  we  expect  to  retain 
the  respect  due  our  sex,  we  must  teach  them  an  im 
pressive   lesson.     Let  them   know  '  our  rights' are 
sacred,  and  that  our  feelings  are  not  to  be  tampered 
with.     He  who  violates  the  marriage  vows  should 
be  branded  with  the  mark  of  Cain  on  his  forehead. 
Allow  not  public  sentiment  to  deter  you  from  the 
right.     Pay  no  attention  to  it.     You  now  have  it 
in  your  power  to  release  yourself  from  the  tyrant; 
and,  if  you  don't  do  it,  it  is  your  own  fault.     Martha 
Lovejoy  married  in  three  weeks  from  the  day  she 
was  divorced,  and  is  to  day  the  happiest  woman  in 
this  section  of  the  country.     Is  it  not  so,  Martha  ?" 
"It    is,   indeed,"    said   Martha.      "You   should 
embrace  this  opportunity.     I  would  make  an  ex 
ample   of  the  Widow  and  him.     I  would  dissect 
them  as  a  physician  would  a  corpse;  I  would  teach 
them  the  fearful   consequences   of  deception   and 
guilt;  indeed,  I  would  wool  her  head  for  her;  she 
deserves  to  be  skinned  alive." 

"You  can  depend  on  it,"  said  Mrs.  B;  "that  I 
will  do  my  duty  to  bring  them  to  justice.  Good 
bye,  good-bye  (they  all  kissed  her).  When  shall 
we  meet  again  ?  I  shall  endeavor  to  have  an  inter 
view  with  you  before  the  trial." 

"  I  should  be  most  happy  to  hear  how  you  are 
getting  along,"  said  Mrs.  H. 


OR  THE  JEALOUS  WIPE.  55 

"  We  have  accomplished  much  to-day,"  said  Aunt 
Polly. 

Mrs.  B.  laughed. 

Mrs.  H.  remarked  after  Mrs.  B.  had  left: 

"  Did  you  notice  her  countenance  ?  I  am  satisfied 
we  made  a  favorable  impression  upon  her  mind  in 
favor  of  Mr.  Qldharu." 

"  She  is  Oldhain's  property,"  said  Martha;  "  there 
is  no  doubt  of  it.  Did  you  notice  her  when  you 
handed  her  the  letter  ?" 

"Indeed  I  did." 

"And,  pray,  what  a  change,"  added  Aunt  Polly. 
"  We  worked  her  up  beautifully." 

"  You  know  that  she  felt  embarrassed  under  the 
circumstances,  and  seriously  objected  to  the  propo 
sition;  we  advocated  Oldharn's  claims  like  Phila 
delphia  lawyers,  and  made  her  present  condition 
deplorable  in  the  extreme;  we  did  it  to  a  charm," 
said  Mrs.  H. 

Aunt  Polly  laughed  and  said: 

"  You  are  the  best  attorney  in  the  State.  You 
never  fail  to  convict  a  prisoner,  guilty  or  innocent, 
and  clear  your  client." 

Mrs.  H.  smiled  and  said: 

"  I  consider  it  a  compliment." 

"  You  are  deserving  it,  and  indeed  I  should  hate 
much  to  have  you  after  me." 

"Ha!  ha!"  ejaculated  Mrs.  H.  "Knowing  you 
as  well  as  I  do,  I  would  let  up  on  you  to  a  degree, 
if  you  were  the  prisoner  and  I  were  employed  to 
prosecute  you." 

"  I  would  not  trust  you,"  replied  Martha. 

"We  have  secured  her,"  said  Mrs.  H.  "  They 
seldom  outwit  me,  you  can  rely  on  that;  I  will  make 
Oldham  pay  for  it.  I  never  work  without  compen 
sation." 


56  NELLIE  BROWN 

"  Do  you  think  she  will  muster  courage  to  leave 
Brown  ?"  asked  Aunt  Polly.  "  I  am  inclined  to 
believe  she  loves  him  still." 

"  If  she  continues  to  live  with  him  it  will  be  be 
cause  she  is  defeated  in  the  bill.  I  painted  things 
to  her  in  livid  colors;  and  indeed,  made  things  ap 
pear  twice  as  bad  as  they  were.  I  hate  the  Widow 
anyway;  I  think  but  little  of  the  Widow  and  Mrs. 
B.'s  husband ;  they  put  on  considerable  airs  with 
me  at  Josh  Brown's;  we  were  invited  there  to  din 
ner;  they  treated  me  very  coolly  and  thought  me 
beneath  their  notice,  and  unworthy  of  their  society; 
I  am  determined  to  get  even  with  them." 

"  I  have  long  thought  the  Widow  stuck  up,"  said 
Martha.  "  I  have  been  to  several  parties  where  she 
was,  and  had  to  receive  a  new  introduction  to  her 
each  time;  we  have  now  got  the  drop  on  her,  and 
we  will  put  her  through  a  course  of  sprouts  before 
we  are  done." 

"  She  is  nothing  but  an  upstart,"  said  Aunt  Polly. 
"  I  knew  her  long  before  her  husband  died;  he  was 
as  fine  a  man  as  ever  walked  in  shoe-leather;  she 
led  him  a  dog's  life,  and  rendered  him  unhappy. 
She  was  continually  flirting  around  with  Tom,  Dick 
and  Harry.  She  knows  me  as  well  as  either  of 
you;  we  have  past  and  repast,  but  she  never  spoke 
to  me  in  her  life.  When  we  get  the  thumb-screws  on 
her,  we'll  make  her  know  who  we  are,  and  bring 
her  down  to  a  button-hole  lower;  she'll  not  carry 
such  a  high  head." 

"  The  beauty  of  it  is,"  said  Aunt  Polly,  "  we 
have  not  only  got  her  under  our  control,  but  we 
are  bound  to  make  money  out  of  the  affair.  Mrs. 
B.  readily  consented  to  pay  fifty  dollars,  and  I  am 
satisfied'  that  Oldhani,  when  he  hears  of  the  pro- 


OR  THE  JEALOUS  WIPE.  57 

gress  we  have  made  in  his  behalf,  will  not  hesitate 
to  give  us  a  hundred  dollars  to  commence  with;  he 
loves  Mrs.  B.  as  dearly  as  a  baby  loves  milk. 
Love  has  no  price.  We  will  make  him  pay." 

"  Money  is  what  we  are  after.  When  do  you  ex 
pect  him  ?"  inquired  Aunt  Polly. 

"  I  look  for  him  to-morrow,"  said  Mrs.  H.  "  I 
shall  give  him  to  understand  it  requires  money  to 
carry  this  affair  through,  and  without  it  little  can 
be  accomplished." 

"  He  will  not  hesitate  to  pay  any  price  you  may 
ask  him,"  said  Martha.  He  is  liberal  and  has  the 
means.  Do  you  think  she  will  answer  his  letter?" 

"  I  wish  I  was  as  sure  of  getting  a  thousand  dol 
lars  as  I  am  that  she  will  answer  it,"  said  Mrs.  H. 
"At  the  same  time,  I  give  her  credit  for  not  com 
mitting  herself  to  us." 

Readers,  we  must  here  leave  Aunt  Polly,  Mrs. 
H.  and  Martha  for  the  present,  and  return  to 
Mrs.  B.  She  seemed  highly  gratified  with  her  visit. 
She  returned  and  entered  her  once  happy  home. 
Sue  and  the  children  welcomed  her.  She  embraced 
and  kissed  the  children  and  shook  hands  with  Sue. 

"  Missus,"  said  Sue,  "  I  almost  gibe  you  up.  Do 
tell  rne  how  tings  is  ?  I  want  to  know  so  bad." 

"  Ah!  Sue,  things  are  in  a  deplorable  condition. 
You  have  no  idea,  nor  a  mind  capable  of  compre 
hending  the  magnitude  of  the  wrongs  I  have  been 
subjected  to;  your  Master  Ben  is  a  wretched  man. 
Has  he  asked  for  me  during  my  absence  ?" 

"Yes,  Missus,  he  did;  I  tell  him  don  no;  he  say 
he  suppose  you  gone  on  some  foolish  errand." 

"Where  is  he,  Sue?" 

"  I  speck  he  is  at  de  barn  talkin  wid  dat  Peter. 
He  and  Massa  Ben  hub  been  talkin  ever  since  he 


58  NELLIE   BROWN 

come  from  Wash.  Jackson's;   and  dat  Peter  tell 
him  ebery  ting:  he  knows. " 

"  I  am  aware  of  that,  Sue;  I  never  entertained  a 
favorable  opinion  of  him  from  the  first  time  I  saw 
him.  I  know  that  he  leans  with  his  Master." 

.  During  the  conversation,  Mr.  B.  walked  in  and 
remarked: 

" How  do  you  do,  Nellie?" 

"  Speak  not  to  me;  I  have  lost  all  respect  for 
you;  I  know  enough  of  you  to  hate  you  in  your 
grave,  from  what  I  have  learned  this  day,"  replied 
Mrs.  B. 

"Nellie,  do  you  mean  to  torment  me  unto  death?" 

"Yes;  and  after  death  if  I  could.  You  are  a 
dissembler,  a  knave  and  a  villain;  I  have  solved  the 
problem  of  your  crime,  and  am  prepared,  at  any 
time,  to  prove  your  guilt.  Your  deeds  of  darkness 
I  shall  not  be  long  in  bringing  to  light.  You  are 
devoid  of  dignity  and  have  violated  a  right  I  hold 
as  sacred  as  my  life;  your  soul  is  blackened  with 
crime,  sin  and  vice.  You  have  desecrated  every 
principle  of  right.  Satan  has  a  bill  of  sale  of  your 
wicked  soul.  My  fond  hopes,  cherished  love  and 
blissful  anticipations  are  withered  forever.  My 
heart  is  made  wicked.  Oh  !  that  I  could  offer  to 
God  a  prayer  in  your  behalf  that  would  be  accept 
able  for  your  sins.  It  is  too  late;  forever  too  late. 
Those  who  stand  upon  the  everlasting  principles 
of  eternal  justice  are  immovable;  the  storms  of 
persecution,  and  the  whirlwinds  of  slander  shall 
harm  them  not;  '  they  shall  walk  thro'  the  Valley 
of  the  Shadow  of  Death,  and  fear  no  evil,'  'but  the 
guilty  fleeth  when  none  pursueth.'" 

"  Nellie,  you  have  become  a  maniac;  you  are  in 
sane;  from  whom  have  you  gleaned  your  informa- 


OR   THE   JEALOUS   WIFE.  59 

tion  ?  You  speak  as  one  who  was  educated  in  the 
school  of  superstition  and  misplaced  confidence — 
these  principles  with  you  are  predominant;  your 
reason  is  dethroned;  bring  forward  those  evil 
geniuses;  I  will  confront  a  regiment  of  them, 
and  prove  every  assertion  to  be  as  false  as  Lucifer. 
You  are  the  subject  of  witchcraft;  you  are  treading 
in  the  path  leading  to  perdition.  If  you  continue 
you  are  ruined;  every  hope  of  happiness  is  gone; 
those  individuals  are  the  mothers  of  falsehoods,  and 
like  Satan  they  go  about  seeking  whom  they  may 
devour  !  They  are  the  disciples  of  sedition,  malice, 
hate  and  contempt.  You  have  not  hesitated, 
Madam,  in  wounding  your  devoted  female  compan 
ion,  a  wound  deep  and  sore,  made  with  the  weapon 
of  slander  and  reproach.  A  wound  I  fear  you 
can  never  heal.  Your  advisers  are  leading  you 
to  shame,  degradation  and  disgrace.  Be  wise 
and  prudent.  I  stand  innocent.  I  defy  the  world 
to  convict  me.  You  are  determined  to  agitate  this 
matter  until  your  name  will  be  heralded  from  city 
to  city,  and  from  village  to  village;  your  character 
will  become  food  for  the  vultures  of  society;  you 
are  deaf  to  truth  and  blind  to  reason.  I  possess 
every  virtue  that  characterizes  manhood,  dignity 
and  morality;  with  these  weapons  I  am  prepared  to 
engage  the  foe.  I  entertain  no  fears.  'Truth 
crushed  to  earth  will  rise  again  F  Justice  is  doomed 
never  to  die.  Mark  you,  Madam,  from  this  hour  I 
have  no  compromises  to  offer.  If  you  intend  apply 
ing  for  a  bill — the  sooner  the  better.  I  will  there 
meet  you  and  my  accusers  face  to  face;  I  shall 
shake  their  castles  and  fabrications  to  atoms. 
Thousands  of  innocent  victims  have  been  tor 
tured  upon  the  rack  of  slander.  I  fear  not  its 


60  NELLIE   BROWN 

horrors.  They  have  thrashed  me  thoroughly  with 
the  rod  of  persecution.  My  heart  is  made  to  bleed 
at  every  pore;  they  cannot  drive  me  to  despair,  nor 
will  I  ask  for  protection  or  shelter  under  the  em 
blems  of  compromise.  No,  never !  I  have  long 
been  silent.  Your  plans  of  strategem  are  too  thinly 
covered  to  be  concealed.  I  am  sorry  to  say  that 
I  have  become  satisfied  that  "  all  is  not  gold  that 
glitters  !'  I  have  admonished  you  to  hearken  to  the 
voice  of  reason,  and  to  be  guided  by  truth  and  love." 

"  I  have  listened  to  you,  sir,"  said  Mrs.  B.  "  You 
never  fail  to  make  an  able  defence;  like  Aram  who 
was  tried  before  a  British  Court  for  his  life,  you 
are  competent  to  plead  your  own  innocence.  I 
shall  believe  it  only  when  it  is  proven;  Aram  plead 
for  his  life;  his  eloquence  held  the  court  spell 
bound,  tears  stood  in  almost  every  eye,  yet  he  failed 
to  establish  his  innocence;  he  died  a  felon's  death 
for  the  crime  he  had  committed.  I  have  positively 
decided  to  apply  for  a  bill  at,  all  hazards  at  the 
next  setting  of  the  court.  There  is  no  further  use  in 
discussing  this  matter;  you  have  brought  it  upon 
yourself;  I  shall  likewise  sue  for  the  custody  of  the 
children  and  my  third  of  the  property." 

"  It  is  not  uncommon  for  married  women  to  be 
come  infatuated  with  lovers  on  the  outside,"  replied 
Mr,  B. 

"  I  desire  you  to  explain  yourself;  I  will  not  al 
low  you  nor  any  one  else  to  question  my  chastity 
without  producing  facts  to  bear  them  out.  You 
are  the  first,  and  should  be  the  last,  to  insinuate  any 
thing  against  my  character,  sir.  Take  care  that  I 
don't  make  you  eat  your  words.  As  low  as  you  are 
in  the  scale  of  degradation,  I  supposed  you  to  be 
more  manly.  What  do  you  know  of  me,  sir?  I 


OR  THE  JEALOUS  WIFE.  61 

defy  you  to  bring  aught  against  me;  I  am  a  lady 
in  the  strictest  sense  of  the  term." 

"  Do  not  women  err  ?  I  am  sorry  to  say  they 
are  blind  to  their  own  faults.  When  a  woman  be 
comes  dissatisfied  with  her  companion,  she  will 
pick  any  flaw  or  use  any  pretence  to  justify  her  in 
leaving  him;  I  have  humored  you  like  a  spoiled 
child." 

"  I  wish  to  hear  no  more  from  you.  I  know 
enough  of  men  to  hate  them  the  longest  day  I  live. 
Do  you  think,  sir,  I  would  ever  become  the  dupe 
of  another  man  ?  You  have  taught  me  a  lesson — 
one  that  will  certainly  last  me  to  the  grave. 
To  think  you  have  acused  me  of  loving  another 
man  !  Is  it  not  strange  that  this  has  just  entered 
your  imagination  ?  None  but  a  corrupt  and  malig 
nant  heart  like  yours  would  harbor  such  thoughts 
without  the  slightest  provocation.  Well,  well," 
she  said,  with  a  shrug  of  her  shoulders  and  a  toss  of 
her  head. 

"  I  have  not  been  delicate  in  expressing  what  I 
believe  to  be  true.  Time  may  change  or  confirm 
my  belief.  I  shall  live,  however,  let  the  results  be 
what  they  may.  I  admit  such  things  try  the  souls 
of  men,  and  sink  many  forever  in  the  gulf  of  de 
spair,  never  to  rise  again.  I  rely  solely  upon 
the  justice  of  that  God  who  reads  the  secrets  of  all 
hearts  " 

"  Oh  !  yes  !  You  have  become  very  pious.  It 
is  a  great  pity  that  you  did  not  think  of  Him  ere 
this.  If  so,  you  would  be  happy  instead  of  misera 
ble.  You  will  see  that  your  Widow  will  be  made 
an  example  of  in  this  community.  Satan  desires 
no  better  disciples  than  you  and  that  false-hearted 
woman.  I  trust  that  the  God  of  heaven  may  have 


62  NELLIE  BROWN 

compassion  on  your  soul.  J  wish  to  have  nothing 
more  to  say  to  you,  sir,  on  the  subject." 

Mr.  B.  had  in  his  possession  the  letter  that  Mrs. 
H.  presented  to  Mrs.  B.  from  Mr.  Oldham,  but  she 
knew  it  not. 

We  shall  now  leave  Mr.  and  Mrs.  B.  for  the 
present  and  return  to  Mrs.  H.  and  Mr.  Oldham. 


CHAPTER   III. 

According  to  promise  Mr.  Oldham  called  upon 
Mrs.  H.  He  knocked  at  the  door.  Mrs.  H.  hast 
ened  to  open  it. 

"  Dear  me,  Joe,  is  that  you  ?  I  am  pleased  to 
see  you." 

He  was  soon  seated  in  a  plain  but  neat  sitting- 
room. 

"  I  expect  Martha  here  every  moment.  I  sup 
pose  you  would  like  to  know  how  we  succeeded 
during  our  first  meeting  with  reference  to  you? 
We  accomplished  a  great  deal  in  a  short  time,  she 
was  really  the  hardest  subject  that  I  ever  met  with 
— in  reference  to  your  proposition.  Otherwise, 
things  worked  to  a  charm;  I  am  satisfied  that  she 
felt  embarrassed  and  disliked  to  commit  herself  to 
us  who  were  almost  entire  strangers  to  her.  When 
1  spoke  of  you,  I  saw  there  was  a  change  in  her 
countenance.  I  conversed  with  her  uninterruptedly 
for  full  three  hours.  You  know  that  I  season 
things  high;  I  made  her  believe  that  she  was  the 
worst  treated  woman  in  Virginia;  I  plead  nobly 
in  your  behalf,  and  pointed  her  to  a  future  fraught 
with  happiness,  joy  and  peace,  if  she  would  only 
consent  to  become  your  bosom  companion." 

"  How  did  she  seem  to  take  it  ?" 


OR   THE   JEALOUS    WIFE.  63 

"  To  tell  you  the  truth,  Joe,  she  was  completely 
speechless  for  some  time;  she  struggled  hard  to  con 
ceal  her  feelings.  To  one  unacquainted  with 
human  nature,  she  might  have  deceived  them  in 
that  particular;  but  I  am  too  old,  and  have  been 
too  long  in  the  business.  The  fountain  of  lovej 
long  chilled  by  the  cold  winds  of  life,  gushed  up 
warm  in  her  soul  when  I  spoke  of  you.  I  have 
not  the  slightest  doubt  that  you  will  have  the  game. 
Not  that  she  told  me  so,  I  judge  it  from  her  appear 
ance." 

"  Do  you  think  that  she  really  loves  me  ?"  asked 
Mr.  Oldham. 

"  Yes,  dearly.  The  consummation  of  the  entire 
affair  is  only  a  question  of  time.;; 

"  Has  she  made  arrangements  to  secure  a  bill  ?" 

"  Bless  you;  we  have  been  arranging  plans  so  as 
to  enable  her  to  succeed." 

During  the  conversation  Martha  stepped  in. 

"  How  do  you  do,  Martha  ?"  said  Mrs.  H. 

She  bowed  very  politely,  Martha  returned  the 
compliment;  Mrs.  H.  further  said: 

*'  Do  be  seated,  Martha.  We  have  a  deal  of 
work  to  accomplish  yet;  I  suppose  that  you  are  aware 
that  I  drafted  Aunt  Polly  to  aid  me  in  the  work  ? 
Martha  also  volunteered  to  assist  us.  I  do  no.t 
claim  the  victory  so  far  won,  for  both  of  them, 
were  equally  interested  in  the  work,  and  they  are 
the  parties  to  be  employed  in  an  enterprise  of  this 
kind.  They  are  also  close  observers,  and  are  not 
slow  in  carrying  any  weak  points  that  may  be 
presented;  they  are  good  planners  and  sharp  trap 
pers.." 

"  What  are  their  charges  for  services  rendered  in 
this  matter  ?'' 


64  NELLIE   BROWN 

"  Aunt  Poll}7,  you  know,  gains  her  livelihood  by 
taking  such  jobs;  I  toid  her  that  she  should  be  well 
rewarded.  Mrs.  B.  gave  Aunt  Polly  twenty-five 
dollars  in  hand,  which  is  only  a  drop  in  the  bucket 
towards  accomplishing  the  work  before  us.  Here 
is  Martha  ;  of  cour&.e  I  expect  to  compensate  her." 

"  Indeed,  Mr.  Oldham,"  said  Martha,  "  you  may 
think  yourself  one  of  the  lucky  ones.  We  have  put 
a  beautiful  feather  in  your  cap."  She  spoke  with  the 
ease  and  grace  of  a  countess." 

Mr.  Oldham  smiled  and  replied: 

"  Thank  you,  kindly;  I  feel  greatly  indebted  to 
you,  ladies." 

"  Mrs.  B.  is  a  charming  woman,"  continued  Mar 
tha.  "  She  has  every  qualification  to  make  a 
\yortliy  companion;  she  is  generous,  kind  and  loving." 

"  Do  you  really  believe  that  I  can  win  her  affec 
tions?"  asked  Mr.  Oldham. 

"  Ask  me  if  the  wind  ever  blows,  or  if  the  sea 
ever  runs  dry,"  rejoined  Martha. 

Mr.  Oldham  laughed  heartily  and  said: 

"  I  judge  by  that,  that  you  are  sure  of  my  suc 
cess.''' 

"I  am,  sir;  I  am  satisfied  that  she  loves  you 
dearly.  I  would  not  be  surprised  to  hear  that  she 
had  already  written  to  you  ." 

Mr.  Oldham  laughed  and  drew  the  letter  from 
his  pocket. 

"  We  never  fail  to  succeed.  What  did  1  tell  you  ?" 
said  Mrs.  H.  to  Martha.  "  Mr.  Oldham,  have  faith 
and  much  will  be  accomplished." 

Mr.  Oldham  here  read  the  letter  from  Mrs.  B. : 

BROWN'S  FARM,  August  3d. 
Dear  Mr.  Oldliam — I  am  happy  to  inform  you  that 
I  received  your  kind  and  welcome  letter  through 


Oil  THE  JEALOUS  WIFE.  65 

the  kindness  of  your  esteemed  friend,  Mrs.  H.  I 
feel  under  ten  thousand  obligations  to  you  for  your 
generous  offer,  and  the  interest  you  have  manifested 
in  my  behalf.  I  am  pleased  to  know  that  I  still 
have  a  place  in  your  affections.  Notwithstanding 
that  years  have  intervened,  you  have  not  blotted 
me  from  your  memory.  You  say  that  you  lo've  me 
as  of  yore.  I  must  acknowledge  that  your  unexr 
pected  letter  has  made  a  lasting  impression  upon 
my  mind.  You  feared  that  your  offer  to  assist  me 
would  be  rejected  and  your  letter  to  me  made  public. 
1  assure  you  it  is  so  full  of  love,  friendship  and 
sympathy,  no  one  possessing  a  spark  of  humanity 
could  discard  it.  I  he.-itate  not  in  saying  I  have 
long  been  the  subject  of  cruel  and  harsh  treatment. 
I  have  ever  been  a  kind  arid  dutiful  wife  to  Brown. 
I  am  compelled  to  make  the  bold  attempt  to 
free  myself  from  the  deceiver.  I  may  receive 
public  censure;  but,  after  all,  I  alone  am  to  be 
the  judge  of  my  happiness,  and  not  others.  I  have 
borne  with  him  until  nature  revolted  and  patience 
rebelled.  My  love  for  him  has  turned  to  hate,  and 
every  feeling  of  kindness  is  obliterated  by  his 
wicked  deeds  and  acts  to  me.  I  cannot  think  of 
living  longer  with  such  a  monster.  No!  never!  I 
would  rather  be  the  wife  of  the  humblest  peasant 
on  earth,  if  I  knew  him  to  be  just,  honorable  and 
upright.  What  is  ease,  wealth,  or  affluence,  without 
peace  and  confidence?  A.  palace  to  me,  indeed, 
would  be  a  prison,  if  happiness  did  not  dwell 
there.  I  have  been  sacrificed  by  the  man  I  loved. 
Oh !  how  fi  ail  is  human  nature,  and  how  liable 
to  err  at  any  unguarded  moment.  He  has 
fallen  deep  in  the  whirlpool  of  vice  and  crime. 
What  has  been  his  gratitude  to  me?  Deception, 
hypocrisy  and  guilt.  I  regret  much  the  course  I 
am  compelled  to  pursue.  When  I  think  of  my  dear 
babes,  it  brings  tears  to  my  eyes,  and  fills  my  heart 
with  grief.  But  am  I  the  only  one  that  has  been 
forced  to  take  shelter  under  the  wings  of  love, 
extended  to  them  by  others,  whose  hearts  are  warm 
and  generous?  No,  we  are  so  singularly  consti 
tuted,  that  women  cannot  be  happy  without  an  object 


66  NELLIE  BROWN 

to  love.  I  have  long  felt  as  if  I  had  no  earthly 
friend,  nor  hope  of  future  bliss.  In  your  letters 
to  me,  give  me  still  further  encouragement  to  bear 
up  under  my  affliction  and  sorrows,  and  may  I  still 
look  forward  to  the  day  of  sunshine  and  happiness 
which  I  trust  will  burst  through  the  sombre  clouds  of 
despair.  My  affections  are  chilled.  "  Now  is  the 
Winter  of  my  discontent,'7  when  all  should  be  joy  and 
peace.  I  shall  be  happy  to  correspond  with  you 
from  time  to  time.  We  must  be  cautious;  I  am 
already  accused  of  loving  another.  And  however 
pure  and  friendly  your  correspondence  may  be,  if 
made  public,  would  be  injurious  to  both.  Your 
friend,  Mrs.  H.,  is  a  true  woman,  and  I  never  shall 
forget  her  kindness. 

Yours,  sincerely, 

NELLIE  BROWN. 
P.  S.— Write  soon. 

Every  word  that  fell  from  his  lips,  as  he  read  the 
letter,  seemed  to  be  food  for  their  craving  appetite. 

''Well!  well !"  exclaimed  Mrs.  H.,  " I  can  scarcely 
believe  it  is  from  Mrs.  B.  Perhaps  some  one  is 
trying  to  steal  a  march  on  us." 

"  I  am  sure  it  is  from  her,"  said  Martha.  "  Let 
me  see  the  hand-writing." 

Oldham  presented  her  the  letter. 

"  I  have  seen  the  hand-writing,  and  am  satisfied 
it  is  hers." 

"  Don't  you  think  we  have  accomplished  won 
ders  ?  asked  Mrs.  H." 

"  You  deserve  great  credit,  and  have  been  far 
more  successful  than  I  anticipated,"  replied  Mr. 
Oldham. 

"  I  thank  you  for  the  compliment,"  said  Mrs.  H. 
smiling. 

"  We  are  trumps  and  are  fully  competent  to  open 
a  school,"  added  Martha,  laughing. 

"  I  am  sure  we  are  competent  to   teach.     We 


f 

OR  THE  JEALOUS  WIFE.  67 

would  get  many  pupils,"  said  Mrs.  H.  "  Few  un 
derstand  human  nature  so  thoroughly  as  to  arrange 
matters  of  this  kind  successfully.  Domestic  teach 
ing  is  much  needed,  as  there  is  a  deal  of  dissatisfac 
tion  among  married  folks.  It  is  a  science  not 
easily  acquired." 

"Few  appreciate  its  worth,"  Martha  continued. 
"  Human  nature  is  hard  to  fathom.  Mr.  Oldham, 
what  does  the  Widow  think  of  things  about  this 
time  ?" 

"  Did  you  not  hear  that  she  wrote  Mrs.  B.  a 
stinging  letter  ?"  said  Mrs.  H.  "  For  the  soul  of 
me  I  cannot  imagine  who  posted  her.  Mrs.  B.  said 
she  was  satisfied  that  her  husband  had  acquainted 
her  of  the  fact.  Mr.  Oldham,  I  am  not  deceived  in 
the  man." 

"  He  will  wish  that  he  never  had  been  born;  far 
better  would  it  have  been  for  him  that  a  millstone 
was  tied  around  his  neck  and  that  he  should  be  cast 
into  the  deep,"  said  Martha. 

"  When  he  reads  his  fearful  doom,  as  if  written 
with  the  finger  of  the  living  God,  he  will  tremble 
and  seek  shelter.  He  is  a  wretch  undona,"  said 
Mrs.  H. 

"  I  would  like  to  be  his  'jack-catch;'  I  would  crack 
his  neck  as  I  would  a  pipe-stem.  He  is  unworthy 
to  live  and  unfit  to  die,"  said  Mr.  Oldham. 

He  then  asked  the  question: 

"  Do  you  think  it  advisable  for  me  to  keep  up 
the  correspondence  with  Mrs.  B.  ?" 

"I  do,"  said  Mrs.  H.  "You  now  have  matters 
in  your  own  hands;  and  if  you  don't  "control  them, 
it  will  be  your  own  fault.  It  is  an  old  saying,  and 
a  ture  one,  *  Procrastination  is  the  thief  of  time.' " 

"You  deserve  to  be  complimented  for  your  labors," 


68  NELLIE  BROWN 

said  Mr.  Oldhnm.  "  I  will  g;ve  you  an  order  on 
Mr.  Peterson,  the  merchant  at  Centreville,  for  four 
hundred  dollars.  Retain  one  hundred  for  your 
own  services  and  present  Mrs.  B.  with  the  remain 
der." 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  order: 

WARRINGTON  TURNPIKE,  Aug.  23d. 
MR.  PETERSON:    Sir — Please  pay  to  the  bearer 
the     sum   of    four    hundred    dollars,  and    charge 
the  same  to  my  account, 

JOE.  OLDHAM. 

Mrs.  H.  thanked  him  kindly  and  said: 

"This  is  more  than  I  expected  to  receive  at"  this 
stage  of  the  proceedings.  However,  you  shall  not  be 
disappointed  in  our  undertaking.  So  far,  things 
have  worked  beautiful." 

"  That  is  all  right,"  said  Mr.  Oldham.  I  leave 
matters  entirely  in  your  charge.  I  trust  Mrs.B. 
will  not  delay  in  having  the  papers  filed  for  a  bill; 
and  if  she  is  defeated,  I  am  a  ruined  man;  my  entire 
hopes  are  centred  upon  her." 

I  am  sure  she  will  apply  at  the  October  Term  of 
Court,  and  before  Christmas  Day  she  will  be  yours," 
said  Martha. 

"  You  will  then  consider  yourself  one  of  the  hap 
piest  men  in  the  State  of  Virginia.  You  will  not 
only  be  her  bosom  companion;  but  you  will  also 
have  to  assume  the  responsibility  of  a  father.  She 
has  two  children,  and  I  have  not  the  slightest  doubt 
they  will  be  assigned  to  her  by  the  Court."  said 
Mrs.  H. 

"  It  would  afford  me  great  pleasure  to  become 
their  tutor  and  provider.  I  am  partially  fond  of 
children,"  said  Mr.  Oldham. 

"  No  man  need  be  ashamed  of  them,  they  are  well 
behaved  and  have  excellent  manners;  I  would  give 


OB   THE  JEALOUS  WIFE.  69 

the  world  if  they  were  mine.  Mr.  B.  will  struggle 
hard  to  retain  them.  He  loves  them  dearly;  at 
the  same  time  I  think  him  incompetent  to  raise 
them  properly." 

"  He  is  a  man  of  no  refinement,  having  but  a 
meagre  education  at  best;  he  has  been  more  success 
ful  in  business  than  most  men  of  his  stamp," 
said  Mr.  Oldliam. 

"  You  know  it  is  said,  'a  fool  for  luck;' '  re 
marked  Mrs.  H.,  with  a  laugh. 

"  What  do  you  think  Mr.  B.  is  really  worth?" 

"  I  should  judge  him  now  to  be  worth  twenty 
thousand  dollars,"  replied  Mr.  Oldhain. 

"  Indeed;  I  have  heard  of  late  that  he  has  made 
rather  reckless  speculations.  If  he  is  worth  that 
amount,  Mrs.  B.  will  have  a  handsome  little  sum. 
They  cannot  keep  her  out  of  her  third,  if  she  gets 
justice,"  said  Mrs.  H. 

"  She  will  get  every  dollar  of  it,  if  she  employs 
a  good  counsellor — one  that  cannot  be  bribed," 
said  Martha. 

"  I  know  pettifoggers  in  this  State,  that  would 
rob  the  grave  of  a  deceased  friend,"  said  Mrs.  H. 

Reader,  we  must  now  leave  Mrs.  H.  for  the  pres 
ent,  and  again  return  to  Mrs.  B. 

"  Sue?" 

"  Mum?" 

"  Go  and  tell  Peter  I  want  him  immediately." 

Sue  obeyed  and  Peter  shortly  after  entered  his 
mistress7  sitting-room. 

"  Peter,  I  wish  you  to  take  this  letter  to  Fair 
fax  and  deliver  it  to  Lawyer  Higgins.  Saddle  a 
horse  and  don't  delay  a  moment.  Be  home,  if  pos 
sible,  by  to-morrow  night." 

She  gave  him  a  few  dollars  to    defray   his   ex- 


70  NELLIE    BROWN 

penses,  and  ordered  him    to   secure    an    answer. 
Peter  started  on  his  mission. 

"  Missus,  'pose  Master  meet  Peter,  and  ask  him 
where  he  am  gwine?  You  know  dat  de  cross-road 
come  into  de  turnpike  five  miles  dis  side  of  de  old 
meetin'  house,  and  Massa  Ben  may  corned  at  road." 

"  No,  Sue;  your  Master  will  not.  He  has  gone 
the  upper  road  to  Warrington  and  will  remain  there 
at  least  four  days,  as  he  has  business  to  attend  to." 

"  Den  it  is  all  right;  I  do  trust  you  will  be 
free  from  dis  trouble  and  come  out  as  shining 
as  de  sun.  Hab  faith  in  de  Lord,  and  he  will  bring 
you  through." 

"  I  intend  to  chance  it,  Sue;  I  have  but  little  to 
lose  and  much  to  gain  if  I  succeed." 

"  Dat  am  so,  Missus.  You  hab  borne  dem  sor 
rows  like  an  Angel  ob  de  Lord;  and  when  I  tink 
ob  dat  Widow,  I  feel  dat  I  could  see  her  die  in  her 
blood  and  her  sins," 

"  We  will  take  care  of  her,  Sue;  she  is  nearly  at 
the  end  of  her  rope.  I  will  make  her  know  who  I 
am  before  I  get  through  with  her." 

"  Missus,  I  hab  trust  in  de  Lord  dis  twenty  years. 
He  nebber  left  me  to  dis  day.  He  fight  my  battles 
and  deliber  me  from  my  enemies.  Bress  his  holy 
name." 

"  Sue,  I  have  no  desire  to  hear  a  sermon  to 
day." 

"  Well,  Missus,  de  hand  of  de  Lord  is  in  ebery- 
ting,  mind  dat;  and  if  you  speck  to  gain  de  day, 
trust  in  Him." 

"  I  am  not  as  strong  a  believer  in  such  things  as 
you  are,  Sue.  I  will  see  if  your  prophecy  comes 
true  or  not." 

Mrs.  B.  returned  to  her  sitting  room  with  Maggie 


OR  THE  JEALOUS  WIFE.  71 

and  Willie  on  each  side  of  her,  Willie  looked  up 
in  his  mother's  face  and  said: 

"  Ain't  pa  a  bad  man,  ma?" 

"  What  makes  you  think  so,  dear  ?" 

"  Cause  you  and  Aunt  Sue  says  he  is." 

"  You  must  not  talk  so,  dear  Willie." 

"  Well,  pa  says  you  are  a  naughty  ma." 

"  You  must  not  repeat  what  others  say,  Willie." 

"  Well,  ma,  what  you  say,  ain't  it  dood  ?" 

"  Yes,  dear." 

"  Well,  you  say  pa  naughty  man  ?" 

"  Talk  of  something  else,  Willie." 

"  I  see  pa  cole  you,  ain't  he  bad  ?" 

Little  Maggie  looked  up  with  an  innocent  smile: 

"  Ma,  pa  is  a  dood  man  ?"  He  brings  me  cakes 
and  tandy;  ain't  he  dood,  ma?" 

Mrs.  B.  looked  down  upon  her  little  darling 
with  a,  pleasant  smile,  but  made  no  reply. 

The  following  evening  Peter  returned  and  entered 
the  kitchen. 

"  Well,  hab  you  got  back  ?"  said  Sue. 

"Yes:  I  hab;  where  is  Missus?" 

"  In  the  sitting  room." 

Peter  hastened  in. 

"  Peter,  have  you  got  back  ?"  asked  Mrs.  B. 

"  Yes,  Missus." 

"  Well,  what  is  the  news  at  the  village?" 

"  Nofirig,  Missus." 

Peter  drew  a  letter  from  his  pocket  and  gave  it 
to  his  mistress. 

Mrs.  B.  glanced  at  the  letter. 

"  Well,  Peter,  what  questions  were  asked  you  at 
the  village?" 

"  Noting,  Missus. " 

"  Now,  Peter,  tell  me  the  truth." 

"  Yes,  Missus." 


72  NELLIE  BROWN 

"  When  your  Master  returns  I  don't  want  you  to 
tell  him  that  I  sent  you  to  the  village." 

"  No,  Missus." 

The  letter  was  from  Lawyer  Higgins,  and  was  as 
follows: 

FAIRFAX  VILLAGE,  Aug.  26th. 

Dear  Madam: — I  acknowledge  the  receipt  of 
your  letter,  at  the  hands  of  your  servant,  Peter; 
and  after  a  careful  perusal  of  it,  I  have  become 
satisfied,  provided  you  can  prove  the  facts,  you  can 
obtain  a  bill.  If  so,  your  case  is  a  plain  one.  Your 
papers  requires  to  be  filed,  and  your  witnesses  pro 
duced  upon  the  day  of  trial.  You  desire  to  know 
what  I  will  charge  you  to  prosecute  your  case.  I 
never  take  a  case  of  that  kind  for  less  than  three 
hundred  dollars;  but,  as  I  have  been  acquainted 
with  you  and  your  family  for  a  number  of  years, 
and  believing  you  to  be  a  lady  in  the  strictest  sense 
of  the  term,  I  will  obligate  myself  to  secure  you  a 
bill  for  two  hundred  dollars — a  hundred  dollars  in 
hand,  and  the  balance  when  I  take  the  stand  to 
prosecute  your  case.  You  can,  forward  me  the 
money  by  mail  or  hand,  then  I  will  proceed.  You 
are  aware  that  I  shall  have  to  give  thirty  days  no 
tice  through  the  columns  of  some  Journal  in  accord 
ance  with  the  laws  of  the  State.  I  shall  await 
your  answer. 

Yours,  respectfully, 

JAMES  HIGGINS,  Atty. 

Mrs.  B.,  after  reading  the  counsel's  letter,  was 
puzzled  to  know  where  to  get  the  money  to  pay  the 
fees;  she  hesitated  to  make  a  demand  on  Mr.  Old- 
ham,  notwithstanding  he  had  offered  to  assist  her. 
In  a  few  hours,  Mrs.  H.  knocked  at  her  door;  she 
opened  it  and  said: 

"  Is  it  possible  this  is  you  ?  Walk  in  and  take  a 
seat," 

"  I  have  but  a  few  moments  to  stop,"  said  Mrs. 
H.  "  Having  heard  that  your  husband  was  absent, 


OR  THE  JEALOUS  WIPE.  73 

I  concluded  to  call  down  and  see  you.  I  would 
not  have  him  see  me  here  for  the  world." 

Mrs.  B.  smiled  and  said:  "I  will  protect  you;  I 
have  got  him  pretty  well  cowed  down." 

"Do  tell  me  how  you  have  been  getting  along 
since  our  last  interview  ?" 

"  I  have  made  things  warm  for  him,  you  may  de 
pend.  After  all,  I  pity  him;  he  is  so  humble." 

"  Pity,  indeed  !  He  deserves  a  good  thrashing. 
I  am  a  little  inclined  to  believe  that  you  still  lovo 
him  ?" 

"  No;  at  the  same  time  it  is  not  unnatural  for  us 
to  possess  humane  feelings  for  those  with  whom  we 
have  been  so  long  identified." 

"  My  time  is  short  as  I  come  on  business.  Have 
you  employed  your  counsel  ?" 

"  I  have  just  received  a  letter  from  Lawyer  Hig- 
gins  relative  to  the  case,  and  have  just  finished 
reading  it." 

"  What  does  he  think  of  it  ?" 

"He  stated  in  his  letter  to  me,  that  if  I  could 
sustain  the  charges,  there  would  be  no  difficulty  in 
obtaining  a  bill." 

"  What  are  his  charges  ?" 

"  Two  hundred  dollars.  For  the  life  of  me  I 
don't  know  where  I  can  raise  the  money  as  I  have 
none  of  my  own.  I  hate  to  write  to  Mr.  Oldham 
for  it.  I  have  no  doubt  it  would  come  forth." 

"  You  need  not  write  him  a  single  line  for  money. 
I  have  three  hundred  dollars  in  my  possession  that 
he  authorized  me  to  pay  over  to  you." 

"  Tis  truly  a  God-send;  I  am  under  a  thousand 
obligations  to  you  and  the  giver.  It  would  have 
been  impossible  for  me  to  have  raised  the  amount 
otherwise.  I  have  made  up  my  mind  fully  never  to 


74  NELLIE  BROWN 

ask  Brown  for  a  single  dollar  while  breath  warms 
my  body." 

"  I  don't  think  you  will  ever  have  any  need,  as 
long  as  Mr.  Oldham  is  your  friend." 

"  To-morrow  morning  I  will  forward  Lawyer 
Higgins  his  entire  fee  and  authorize  him  to  make 
arrangements  for  the  trial." 

"  Higgins  is  a  good  lawyer;  at  the  same  time  H. 
Montgomery  would  have  been  my  choice.  I  would 
not  be  surprised  if  Mr.  B.  employed  him  against 
you." 

"  I  will  chance  Higgins.  as  I  have  obligated  my 
self.  I  wish  you  to  secure  all  the  evidence  you 
can  to  enable  us  to  succeed.  I  have  misplaced  the 
letter  you  gave  me  from  Mr.  Oldham.  I  have 
turned  the  house  upside  down  and  I  cannot  find 
it." 

"  I  trust  it  has  not  fallen  into  the  hands  of  your 
husband.  If  so,  it  will  ruin  us.77 

"No;  I  am  satisfied  he  has  not  got  it.  If  he 
had  it  he  would  have  spoken  about  it.  It  would 
be  too  good  a  thing  for  him  to  keep.  I  may  come 
across  it  when  I  least  expect." 

"  I  would  like  very  much  to  have  a  consultation 
with  you  before  the  trial  comes  off.  Likewise,  so 
would  Martha  and  Aunt  Polly;  they  feel  deeply 
interested  in  your  behalf." 

"  I  shall  endeavor  to  call  at  your  house  to-day 
two  weeks,  or  perhaps  sooner." 

"  I  shall  look  for  you  without  fail.  Mr.  Oldham 
will  be  delighted  when  he  reads  your  notice  for  a 
bill.  He  is  already  crazy  about  you." 

Mrs.  B.  laughed  and  said  : 

"  I  am  glad  to  hear  that  somebody  thinks  well  of 


OB  THE  JKALOUS  WIFE.  75 

"And  if  you  should  need  more  money,  all  you 
have  to  do  is  to  name  it;  he  has  plenty  of  it.  By 
the  way,  I  forgot  to  tell  you  I  saw  the  Widow  in 
her  front  yard  as  I  passed." 

"  Did  she  speak  to  you  ?" 

"  Speak  to  me  1  Indeed  the  look  she  gave  me 
was  terrible  in  the  extreme." 

"  I  judge  she  begins  to  think  I  am  not  the  fool 
she  took  me  for.  1  will  be  a  terror  to  her  before  I 
get  through." 

'*  She  begins  to  realize  her  condition.  I  guess 
she  wishes  she  had  been  more  prudent." 

"  I  think  so." 

"  Do  you  intend  to  remain  here  until  the  trial  is 
over?" 

"  I  do  not  intend  to  move  a  peg.  My  renegade 
husband  and  the  Widow  wouldn't  want  a  better 
thing  if  I  should  leave.  They  would  feel  highly  grati 
fied  to  get  rid  of  me  so  easy.  He  has  his  bed  and 
I  have  mine.  Sue  cooks  his  meals;  I  have  not  sat 
at  the  table  with  him  for  three  weeks  past.  The 
children  and  myself  eat  in  the  little  parlor  adjoin 
ing  the  bed-room. " 

"  I  judge  that  he  begins  to  think  that  you  are  in 
earnest.  Keep  him  at  his  distance  and  have  as 
little  to  say  to  him  as  possible.  Push  the  matter 
right  through,"  replied  Mrs.  H. 

"  There  shall  be  no  delay  on  my  part,  I  assure 
you.  I  also  requested  Lawyer  Higgins  to  retain 
for  me  and  the  children  one-third  of  the  property." 

"  Dear  me !  Mr.  Oldham  is  abundantly  able,  to 
take  care  of  you  and  the  children;  we  have  spoken 
to  him  already  about  them.  He  was  delighted  at 
the  idea  to  become  their  adopted  father." 

"  That  may  be  all  right;  but  let  every  man  that 


76  NELLIE  BROWN 

is  able  take  care  of  his  own  children.     Mr.  B.  is 
fully  able,  and  why  not  provide  for  them  ?" 

"  That  is  true.  They  will  be  under  your  care 
after  the  trial." 

"1  don't  know;  the  Court  may  not  assign  them 
to  me." 

"Nonsense;  they  would  no  more  think  of  giving 
them  in  his  charge  than  they  would  to  strangers; 
you  have  not  the  slightest  idea  of  the  feeling 
against  him.  He  has  no  friends.  His  name 
is  on  every  tongue,  and  none  speak  well  of 
him.  You  are,  indeed,  blessed  above  thousands  to 
have  such  a  friend  as  Mr.  Oldham  at  this  time.  It 
looks  as  if  Providence  had  ordered  it.  Does  it 
not?" 

"  Indeed  it  does,  and  were  it  not  for  him  I  don't 
know  what  I  should  do." 

"  Now,  dear,  tell  me  if  you  succeed  in  obtaining 
a  bill,  do  you  intend  marrying  him  ?" 

Mrs.  B.  laughed  and  said: 

"  Nothing  short  of  matrimony  will  satisfy  him; 
he  has  been  very  kind  to  me." 

"  Ha !  ha  !  I  tell  you  he  is  the  man  for  you.  I 
suppose  your  present  companion  would  have  duck- 
fits  if  he  knew  it. 

"  It  is  a  matter  that  should  be  kept  strictly  pri  - 
vate." 

"  The  Widow  will  use  her  endeavors  to  exoner 
ate  herself  and  to  defeat  us,  if  possible.  She  has 
brought  her  ducks  to  a  fine  market.  I  believe  she 
would  assassinate  me  if  she  dare.  She  is  getting 
desperate," 

"  I  don't  fear  her," 

"  I  tell  you  she  is  not  only  revengeful  but  she  is 
indeed  a  dangerous  woman." 


OR  THE   JEALOUS   WIFE.  77 

"  I  have  always  thought  so." 

"  I  have  a  great  deal  to  say  in  a  short  space  of 
time,  a?  I  must  be  hurrying  off.  What  disposition 
will  you  make  of  poor  Sue,  in  case  you  obtain  a  bill  ?" 

"  Sue  is  my  individual  property,  and  I  would  al 
most  leave  one  of  my  children  as  to  leave  her.  She 
has  long  been  my  faithful  servant  and  adviser  in 
these  trying  times.  She  is  worthy  of  my  consider 
ation  and  care.  I  have  become  satisfied  that  Ne 
groes,  like  other  races,  know  their  friends  and  ap 
preciate  them.  I  have  used  my  endeavors  to  secure 
the  confidence  of  Peter,  but  without  effect." 

11  How  is  that?" 

"  When  I  first  came  on  the  farm  I  took  a  dislike 
to  him;  I  must  say,  without  a  justifiable  cause.  I 
treated  him  indifferently.  He  seems  never  to  have 
forgotten  it.  He  would  be  of  considerable  service 
to  me,  if  it  were  not  for  the  dislike  which  I  think 
he  entertains  for  me.  He  sticks  to  his  Master  like 
a  leech." 

"  I  find  it  is  better  to  use  everybody  right,  however 
humble  in  circumstances.  There  are  times  when 
they  can  be  of  use.  It  is  better  to  have  their  con 
fidence,  friendship,  influence  and  esteem,  than  their 
dislike.  My  mother  had  an  old  Negro  woman  who 
nursed  me.  We  called  her  Aunt  Debby.  The 
children  loved  her  as  they  did  their  mother,  not 
withstanding  she  used  to  switch  us  whenever  she 
felt  like  it.  Dear  me,  I  must  be  off." 

"  What's  your  hurry  ?" 

"  I  have  stayed  longer  than  I  anticipated.  Good 
bye,  good-bye." 

They  kissed  each  other  and  parted.  After  Mrs. 
H.  had  left,  Mrs.  B.  rushed  into  the  kitchen  to 
inform  Sue  of  her  success. 


78  NELLIE  BEOWN 

"  Missus,  did  you  get  de  money?  Dey  say  'one 
bird  in  de  hand  is  wort  two  in  de  bush.7 " 

"  Yes,  Sue;  here  it  is." 

"  Wall !  wall !  dat  am  de  fact.  I  so  glad.  We 
are  all  right  now,  Missus." 

"  Yes,  Sue;  in  the  morning  I  shall  forward  two 
hundred  of  it  to  Lawyer  Higgins.  If  you  see  old 
Bob  pass,  tell  him  I  want  to  see  him.  I  shall  get 
him  to  take  the  money  as  he  is  going  to  the  village." 

"  Missus,  do  you  tink  dat  darkey  can  be,  'lied  on  ?" 

"Yes,  Sue;  he  is  very  trustworthy  and  knows 
how  to  keep  matters  intrusted  to  him." 

"  Missus,"  remarked  Sue,  "  are  you  gwine  to 
write?" 

"  No,  Sue,"  replied  Mrs.  B.  "  The  money  is  all 
that  is  required  to  commence  the  suit." 

tl  Well,  if  you  can  depend  on  dat  fellow  Bob,  it  is 
all  right." 

lt  Many  take  old  Bob  to  be  a  fool,  but  those  who 
will  buy  him  for  one  will  get  cheated;  he  is  a  good 
old  Negro,  but  has  his  queer  ways;  and  it  is  not 
every  one  that  can  get  along  with  him." 

"Dat  am  de  truft;  he  am  mighty  stubborn  some 
times." 

"  Sue,  I  expect  you  are  a  little  prejudiced  against 
old  Bob,  because  he  don't  spark  you. " 

"  Ha  !  ha !  For  de  heben  sake  hear  dat,  Missus  ! 
Do  you  tink  I  would  hab  dat  darkey?  No,  Missus, 
I  am  too  high-string  for  dat." 

Mrs.  B.  roared  with  laughter.  The  following 
morning  Bob  passed  and  halted — the  road  leading 
to  the  main  road  from  his  Master's  farm,  ran  direct 
ly  through  Mr.  B.'s  plantation.  Sue  hailed  him. 
He  went  to  the  kitchen-door  and  inquired: 

"  Whar  your  Mistruss  ?" 


OR  THE  JEALOUS  WIPE.  79 

11  She  am  in  de  bed-room/7  replied  Sue. 

Sue  then  informed  Mrs.  B.,  who  came  to  the  door 
and  said: 

"  Good  morning,  Robert." 

"  Sarvant,  Missus." 

"  Bob,  I  wish  you  to  deliver  this  package  to 
Lawyer  Higgins  at  the  village;  be  careful  not 
lose  it." 

"Yes,  Missus;  I  be  sure  not  to  do  dat." 

"  Robert,  if  you  attend  to  it  properly,  I  may  be 
induced  to  give  you  Sue  for  a  wife.'7 

Robert  opened  his  mouth  and  laughed  until  the 
tears  ran  down  his  sable  cheeks  in  torrents,  and 
exclaimed  to  Sue: 

"  Gal !  you  is  mine  as  sure  as  dis  darkey  am 
alibe.7' 

"  G'long,  darkey;  who  does  you  tuck  me  to  be? 
You  tink  I  is  some  common  darkey  to  hab  de  likes 
ob  you,'7  said  Sue. 

The  following  day  Robert  returned  and  presented 
Mrs.  B.  with  a  note  enclosed  in  an  envelop  from 
Lawyer  Higgins.  It  read  as  follows: 

FAIRFAX,  Aug.  18th. 
MRS.  BROWN: 

Madam — I  avail  myself  of  the  present  oppor 
tunity  to  inform  you  that  I  received  two  hundred 
dollars,  the  entire  fee;  please  accept  this  as  an 
acknowledgment  for  the  same.  I  will  send  a 
notice  to-morrow  morning  to  the  Alexandria  Gazette 
for  publication.  Your  case  will,  perhaps,  be 
among  the  first  on  the  docket.  Notify  your  wit 
nesses  of  the  fact.  I  will  drop  you  a  few  lines  in 
forming  you  what  day  it  will  come  up.  Entertain 
no  fears.  I  shall  do  the  best  I  can  for  you.  I  re 
main, 

Yours,  respectfully, 

JAMES  HIGGINS. 


80  NELLIE  BROWN 

CHAPTER   IV. 

A  short  time  before  the  trial  Mrs.  B.  dreamed  she 
saw  her  brother  and  mother,  who  had  been  dead 
many  years;  her  brother  entered  her  room  first, 
her  mother  following,  and  lastly  came  in  Aunt 
Polly  Hopkins,  Martha  Lovejoy  and  Mrs.  H.  Her 
mother  and  brother  were  clothed  in  shrouds  as 
white  as  snow;  the  last  named  three  were  dressed 
in  robes  as  black  as  jet;  they  huddled  themselves 
together  in  the  north  corner  of  the  room  and 
looked  vicious  in  the  extreme.  Mrs.  B.'s  mother 
appeared  not  to  notice  them.  She  bent  over  the 
bed  and  kissed  her  daughter,  and  stroked  back  her 
hair  with  a  hand  as  cold  as  ice.  She  turned  to  her 
son  and  said:  "  What  has  possessed  these  evil  spirits 
to  congregate  here?"  as  she  spoke  thus  all  of 
them  hung  their  heads.  He  pointed  to  them  with 
the  finger  of  death,  and  said:  •"  It  is  they  who  seek 
the  destruction  of  my  sister,  and  are-  conspiring  to 
drag  her  to  that  region  of  misery  and  desolation." 
Polly  was  standing  nearest  to  them.  "  That 
spirit,"  said  he,  "  would  destroy  us  in  the  twinkling 
of  an  eye,  if  it  was  not  for  the  guardian  angel  of 
heaven:"  Then  said  the  spirit  of  Mrs.  B. 'smother: 
"  Oh !  what  wretched  beings  they  must  be;  how 
dreadful  is  sin;  it  is  a  terrible  curse."  As  she 
spoke  all  of  them  veiled  their  faces  and  said: 
"  Come,  let  us  depart  from  this;  the  day  is  breaking." 
Aunt  Polly  threw  up  her  veil  as  she  passed  out — 
her  eyes  looked  like  balls  of  fire.  She  gave  them 
a  terrible  look.  Then  there  appeared  an  angel  who 
said  to  the  spirits  of  Mrs.  B.  and  her  son:  "  Your 
time  is  up!"  The  two  spirits  then  looked  wistfully 
upon  Mrs.  B.  Her  mother  again  kissed  her  with 


OR  THE  JEALOUS  WIFE.  81 

her  cold  lips  of  death,  this  awoke  her;  she  found  it 
to  be  only  a  dream,  but  it  left  a  serious  impression 
on  her  mind.  She  then  thought  of  the  story  Sue 
told  her  about  the  spirits. 

Mr.  B.,  during  his  absence,  saw  in  one  of  the 
daily  papers,  his  wife's  advertisement  for  a  bill;  he 
immediately  addressed  a  letter  to  H.  Montgomery 
to  defend  the  suit,  which  was  readily  accepted. 

WINCHESTER,  VA.,  August  31st. 
Mr.  BROWN: 

Dear  Sir — I  take  this  method  to  inform  you  that 
I  have  received  yours,  dated  Aug.  27th.  In  reply 
to  the  same,  I  should  be  more  than  happy  to  act  as 
your  counsel.  My  fee  is  two  hundred  and  fifty  dol 
lars;  your  word  for  the  amount  is  sufficient;  have 
your  witnesses  in  readiness  to  appear  at  the  October 
Term. 

Yours,  respectfully, 

H.  MONTGOMERY. 

Mr.  B.  returned  home  on  the  following  day,  and 
interrogated  his  wife  in  reference  to  her  applying 
for  a  bill. 

"  Sir,  your  breath  is  spent  in  vain,"  retorted  Mrs. 
B.  "  I  told  you  from  the  first  I  intended  to  secure 
a  final  separation  from  you,  and  I  intend  to  be  as 
good  as  my  word." 

"  Are  you  sure  you  will  succeed  in  obtaining  a 
bill  ?" 

"Yes,  sir;  without  the  slightest  difficulty.  You 
have  committed  manslaughter  upon  your  own  do 
mestic  and  social  happiness.  You  are  looked  upon 
with  contempt  by  all  lovers  of  society.  You  have 
shown  your  hand,  and  I  have  called  you  to  an 
account." 

"  Madam,"  he  replied,  "you  are  very  sanguine  of 
success;  be  careful  that  you  don't  slip  up  on  it.  I 


82  NELLIE    BROWN 

have  fully  made  up  my  mind  to  defend  against  you 
and  your  tutors.  I  have  thus  declared  my  intention, 
though  it  may  be  cowardice  on  my  part.  Neverthe 
less  I  have  a  character  to. sustain,  and  he  who  has 
not  the  moral  courage  to  defend  his  honor,  when 
assailed  and  pursued  by  the  bloodhounds  of  society, 
deserves  to  be  drummed  out  of  a  Christian  commu 
nity  and  stamped  with  the  brand  of  cowardice. 
Marshal  your  legions  for  the  conflict;  like  the 
ancient  shepherd,  I  have  only  the  sling  of  justice 
and  the  stone  of  truth  to  contend  against  my 
enemies,  and  with  a  well-directed  aim  I  may  be 
enabled  to  deal  them  a  death-blow.  I  am  ready  for 
the  conflict  at  any  moment.  I  entertain  no  fears, 
and  believe  I  shall  achieve  a  noble  victory  in 
behalf  of  my  character.  I  shall  endeavor  to  leave 
their  mangled  bodies  upon  the  field  of  conflict,  as  a 
warning  to  all  peace-disturbers  and  calumniators." 

The  following  letter  was  received  by  Mrs.  B.  from 
a  lady  friend  :  ' 

ALEXANDRIA,  August  30th. 

Dear  Nellie — In  scanning  over  one  of  our  daily 
papers,  much  to  my  surprise  and  mortification,  I  se.w 
a  notice  of  your  application  for  a  bill  of  divorce. 
What  in  the  world  has  induced  you  to  pursue  such 
a  course  ?  I  fear  that  you  have  been  hasty  and  un- 
thoughtful.  It  would  be  far  better  for  you  to  cover 
your  companion's  faults  with  the  veil  of  charity, 
than  to  make  your  domestic  aifairs  public  to  the 
outside  world.  Who  of  us  are  without  faults? 
Such  proceedings  are  not  only  injurious  to  yourself, 
but  has  its  effect  upon  society.  Remember  your 
position,  the  circle  in  which  you  associate,  and  the 
example  you  should  set  as  a  pattern  for  your  chil 
dren.  No  two  joined  together  in  the  sacred  bonds 
of  wedlock,  were  ever  known  to  be  perfect:  and 
each  with  an  observing  eye  can  detect  faults  in  the 
other.  Do  endeavor  to  settle  your  difficulties  be- 


OR  THE  JEALOUS  WIFE.  83 

twecn  yourselves;  if  so,  you  will  choke  off  public 
slander  which  invariably  attends  such  cases.  I  ad 
monish  you  as  a  friend.  "  He  that  controlleth  his 
his  own  temper  and  household,  is  greater  than  he 
that  taketh  a  city."  Be  wise  and  prudent;  the 
calumniators  of  society  are  only  waiting  to  satisfy 
their  craving  appetites;  none  are  exempt  from  the 
trials  and  afflictions  of  life;  they  attend  us  from  the 
cradle  to  the  tomb.  Have  you  thought  of  the  many 
dangers  that  attend  a  lone  woman  through  life,  on 
the  right  and  on  the  left  ?  Gins  and  snares  are  set 
to  entrap  her;  the  strongest  of  women  have  fallen  a 
prey  to  the  fowler.  I  trust  you  will  give  this  letter 
due  consideration,  before  you  advance  further. 
This  advice  is  from  one  that  loves  you  as  a  sister. 
Yours,  affectionately, 

MARIA  A.  DANGERFIELD. 

MR.  Oldham's  letter  to  Mrs.  B: 

GREENSVILLE,  September  15th. 
Dear  Nellie — I  am  pleased  to  inform  you  that  in 
looking  over  the  Alexandria  Gazette,  I  saw  a  notice 
setting  forth  your  intention  to  obtain  a  bill.  It 
seems  that  you  are  resolved  to  secure  justice.  I 
am  proud  you  have  the  courage.  Keep  in  good 
spirits.  I  am  your  true  friend,  and  whatever  means 
you  may  need  in  the  future,  hesitate  not  to  make  it 
known  at  once.  You  are  aware  that  it  is  necessary 
for  me  to  keep  in  the  dark  for  fear  of  exciting  sus 
picion.  I  gave  Mrs.  IT.  an  order  the  other  day  for 
four  hundred  dollars,  three  hundred  of  which  amount 
I  ordered  her  to  pay  over  to  you,  which  I  hope  you 
have  received  before  this.  I  shall  be  at  Mrs.  H.7s 
one  week  from  to-day.  I  shall  be  more  than  happy 
to  meet  you  there,  as  I  suppose  it  will  be  the  first 
and  last  interview  we  shall  have  before  the  trial 
comes  off.  When  I  contemplate  the  happiness  in 
store  for  us,  I  can  scarcely  realize  the  fact.  I  am 
anxious  for  your  troubles  to  end,  and  to  receive  you 
as  my  lawful  and  cherished  bride.  Hoping  you 
will  pardon  me,  if  you  consider  me  forward, 

Yours  truly,  J.  0. 


84  NELLIE   BROWN 

Mrs.  B.'s  reply: 

BROWN'S  FARM,  September  16th. 
Dear  Joseph — It  is  with  more  than  ordinary  pleas 
ure  that  I  take  my  pen  in  hand  to  inform  you  that  I 
received  your  very  welcome  letter  dated  September 
15th.  I  trust  these  lines  will  find  you  in  good 
health  and  fine  spirits,  as  they  leave  me.  The 
clouds  of  despair,  gloom,  doubt  and  fear,  are  fast 
disappearing.  I  feel  more  cheerful  and  hopeful  than 
ever  of  late.  Matters  are  progressing  finely,  and 
it  will  be  but  a  short  period  before  we  shall  love 
each  other  more  sincerely  and  devotedly.  You 
must  use  the  utmost  discretion,  and  instead  of  direct 
ing  letters  in  my  present  name,  direct  them  in  the 
name  of  Elizabeth  Jackson  in  the  future.  I  will  in 
quire  for  your  letters  to  me  by  that  name.  It  be 
comes  us  to  keep  matters  strictly  private.  If  they 
should  extend  beyond  our  confidence  it  would  be  a 
terrible  instrument  in  the  hands  of  my  present  hus 
band  to  be  used  against  us;  so  far,  he  is  entirely 
ignorant  of  our  correspondence,  and  I  trust  he  will 
be  until  I  accomplish  my  object.  Allow  me  to 
thank  you  kindly  for  the  liberal  sum  you  sent  me.  I 
I  trust  you  will  never  have  cause  to  doubt  my  sin 
cerity,  or  to  question  my  love  and  friendship  for  you. 
In  accordance  with  your  request  I  shall  be  at  Mrs. 
H.'s  on  the  day  appointed.  Don't  fail,  dear  Joseph, 
to  meet  me  there.  I  never  thought  I  could  ever 
again  become  infatuated  with  a  man  as  I  have  with 
you;  my  affections  are  concentrated  wholly  in  you. 
Be  hopeful  and  all  will  come  out  right. 
Yours,  affectionately, 

NELLIE  BROWN. 


CHAPTER  V. 

According  to  promise,  Mrs.  B.  went  on  the  day 
appokted  for  the  meeting  to  the  house  of  Mrs.  H. 
On  arriving  there  she  found  all  present,  except  her 


,  OR  THE  JEALOUS  WIFE.  85 

intended,  Mr.  Joe  Oldham.  Aunt  Polly,  Martha 
and  Mrs.  H.  gave  her  a  cordial  welcome. 

"  Dear  me,  child,"  said  Aunt  Polly.  "  how  have 
you  been  ?  I  haven't  seen  you  since  our  first  meet 
ing.  I  have  heard  of  your  progress  through  Mrs. 
H.  and  Martha.  I  was  pleased  to  hear  that  you  are 
still  on  the  war-path." 

"  I  have  been  quite  well,  I  thank  you,  though  I 
have  had  many  trials  since  I  last  saw  you.  I  am 
fully  determined  to  carry  it  through— sink  or  swim, 
perish  or  survive,"  replied  Mrs.  B. 

"  I  admire  your  pluck.  The  time  is  not  far  dis 
tant  when  you  will  receive  your  just  reward,  and 
come  out  as  gold  tried  in  the  fire — a  free  and  inde 
pendent  woman." 

"  She  would  make  a  good  soldier,"  said  Martha, 
laughing. 

"  Thank  you  for  the  compliment,"  said  Mrs.  B. 

During  the  conversation,  Mr.  Oldham  entered. 
The  party  seemed  delighted  to  greet  and  welcome 
him.  He  threw  his  arms  around  Mrs.  B.  and  kissed 
her;  she  blushed,  but  soon  became  apparently  easy. 

'•  How  have  you  been,  Nellie  ?  I  have  long 
wanted  to  see  you,"  said  Mr.  Oldham. 

Mrs.  B.,  with  a  pleasant  smile,  answered  : 

"  I  have  been  well,  but  have  had  a  sea  of  troubles 
since  I  was  here  last;  and  if  it  was  not  for  poor 
Sue,  I  think  I  would  have  sank  under  them." 

"  Sue  has  been  your  comforter  ?" 

"  Yes;  she  has  stuck  to  me  like  a  mother." 

"  I  supposed  that  you  were  having  a  tough  time 
of  it." 

"Poor  thing,  she  is  to  be  pitied.  I  know  what 
such  troubles  are.  I  have  been  married  myself  five 
times,"  said  Aunt  Polly. 


86  NELLIE  BROWN  « 

Mrs.  B.  laughed  excessively,  and  said: 

"  You  are  an  old  hand  at  the  bellows  then  ?" 

"  Yes,  I  can  blow  and  strike  at  the  same  time." 

This  remark  set  them  all  laughing. 

"  You  never  failed  to  secure  a  bill  from  your  hus 
bands  when  they  failed  to  comply  with  their  obli 
gations." 

"  I  have  long  made  it  an  established  rule  to  quit 
them  then  and  there.  I  was  not  particular  as  to  a 
bill.  In  some  cases  I  have  taken  leg  bail  instead  of 
a  bill.  You  know,  child,  the  world  is  wide,  and  in 
it  is  plenty  of  room;  I  have  never  employed  a  law 
yer  to  my  knowledge,  nor  do  I  think  I  ever  shall. 
There  never  has  been  a  law  during  the  history  of 
my  life  to  compel  a  woman  to  live  with  a  man  that 
she  did  not  love." 

"  That's  pretty  good,  Aunt  Polly.  I  think  the 
women  ought  to  subscribe  for  a  medal  for  you.  We 
had  better  now  proceed  to  business  as  the  time  is 
short,  and  I  have  a  considerable  distance  to  go. 
Nellie,  what  counsel  have  you  employed?"  asked 
Mr.  Oldham. 

"  Lawyer  Higgins  ;  are  you  acquainted  with 
him?" 

"By  reputation;  I  have  seen  him  once  or  twice, 
and  have  heard  that  he  is  a  good  counsellor." 

"He  is.  At  the  same  time  I  told  Mrs.  B.  I  pre 
ferred  H.  Montgomery.  He  is  a  '  pealer/ "  said 
Mrs.  H. 

"  1  think  it  would  have  been  better  to  make  sure 
work  of  it  by  employing  him.  However,  it  is  too 
late  now;  it  is  time  that  we  should  prepare  for  the 
coming  conflict,  and  have  our  witnesses  in  readiness. 
How  many  witnesses  can  we  muster  ?"  asked  Mr. 
Oldham. 


OR  THE   JEALOUS   WIFE.  87 

"  Myself,  Martha  and  Aunt  Polly  are  all  I  know  of 
at  present,"  returned  Mrs.  H. 

"  Two  is  as  good  as  a  thousand,  if  they  can  estab 
lish  the  facts  connected  with  the  case.'7 

"  I  think  I  am  in  possession  of  those  facts." 

"  My  evidence  will  go  a  good  way  towards  con 
victing  him,"  said  Martha, 

"  If  I  don't  convict  him  I  will  scare  him  terribly, 
depend  on  it.  I  have  heard  enough  of  the  gentle 
man  to  hang  an  ordinary  man  if  made  known.  I 
shall  not  hesitate  to  tell  all  I  have  heard,"  responded 
Aunt  Polly. 

"  We  have  got  much  the  best  of  him.  I  never 
engage  in  jobs  of  this  kind  unless  I  have  the  advan 
tage  and  the  longest  end  of  the  rope." 

"  I  am  sure  we  can  succeed  if  the  witnesses  will 
hang  together  on  the  main  points.  It  is  likely  the 
Widow  will  be  introduced  as  a  witness  against  us. 
I  have  heard  that  he  has  one  or  two  others.  I  have 
not  learned  who  they  are.  Like  a  drowning  man, 
he  will  catch  at  anything  to  save  himself,"  replied 
Mrs.  B. 

"  His  witnesses  will  do  him  but  little  good.  If 
he  knows  what  is  best  for  him,  he  would  never  enter 
the  Court  House  door,"  said  Mrs.  H. 

"  I  don't  really  believe  that  he  will  defend  the 
suit,"  responded  Martha. 

"  He  never  will  give  it  up  without  a  struggle  for 
victory.  The  least  said  about  this  matter  the  better. 
I  am  willing  to  advance  whatever  money  that  is  re 
quired  to  carry  the  case  through.  I  consider  it  a 
success,"  remarked  Mr.  Oldham.  ^ 

11  Indeed  you  may,"  replied  Mrs.  H. 

"  If  we  don't  succeed,"  said  Aunt  Polly,  "  I  will 
lose  my  head." 


NELLIE  BROWN 

"Ha!  ha!" 
"  We  cannot  fail." 

"  Mrs.  H.  and  Mrs.  B.  I  wish  to  have  a  private 
interview  with  you  for  a  few  moments,"  said  Mr. 
Oldham. 

"  Certainly,"  they  replied,  excusing  themselves 
to  Aunt  Polly  and  Martha,  and  entered  the  dining- 
room. 

"  Nellie,"  remarked  Mr.  Oldham.  "  perhaps  this 
will  be  the  last  time  that  we  shall  be  enabled  to  see 
each  other  before  the  trial  comes  off.  I  think  it 
likely  that  you  may  need  more  money,  and  for  fear 
that  we  may  not  meet  soon,  1  present  you  with  five 
one  hundred  dollar  bills." 

"  Dear  me,  this  is  intruding  on  good  nature," 
answered  Mrs.  B. 

Mrs.  H.  gave  her  a  nudge  with  her  arm  to  silence 
her. 

"Not  at  all." 

He  also  gave  Mrs.  H.  three  fifty  dollar  bills  to 
divide  with  Martha  and  Aunt  Polly.  They 
thanked  him  kindly;  he  kissed  Mrs.  B  good-bye, 
and  requested  her  to  write  to  him  soon. 

After  Mr.  Oldham  had  left,  Mrs.  H.  said: 

"  He  has  the  biggest  heart  of  any  little  man  I 
ever  saw." 

She  then  asked  Aunt  Polly  and  Martha: 

"  What  do  you  think  he  gave  us  ?" 

"  I  have  no  idea,"  replied  Aunt  Polly. 

"  I  am  sure  I  have  not,"  said  Martha. 

"  He  gave  Mrs.  B.  five  one  hundred  dollar  bills, 
and  also  three  fifty  dollar  bills  to  me  to  divide 
among  the  three  of  us." 

"  Ha  1  ha  !  he  is  a  gentleman  and  he  shall  be  re 
warded,"  said  Aunt  Polly. 


OR  THE  JEALOUS  WIFE.  oU 

"  Is  it  a  fact  ?"  asked  Martha.  4k  I  am  a  little  as 
tonished  at  his  liberality,  though  I  knew  that  he 
was  generous.  As  I  said  before,  'love  has  no  price/ 
and  well  may  he  love  a  woman  like  you.  Mrs.  B." 

Mrs.  B.  smiled  and  said: 

"  I  have  become  accustomed  to  your  flattery." 

"  Indeed  it  is  true,'"'  said  Mrs.  H.  **  If  I  was  as 
handsome  as  yourself,  I  would  play  the  men  a 
merry  string." 

44  She  knows  that  she  is  handsome  without  tell 
ing  her,"  added  Aunt  Polly. 

11 1  must  be  off,"  said  Mrs.  B. 

"  What  is  your  hurry?  Will  you  not  stay  to 
tea,"  inquired  Mrs.  H. 

44  Thank  you;  I  have  to  walk,  and  it  is  better 
that  1  should  start  early." 

"  Why  did  you  not  ride  Bet?" 

44  To  tell  you  the  truth,  I  had  no  desire  to  see  my 
friend,  the  Widow.  If  I  rode,  I  would  be  com 
pelled  to  pass  her  house." 

44 1  would  give  myself  little  trouble  about  her;  I 
could -ride  over  her  and  not  speak  to  her". 

Mrs.  H.  laughed   and  said: 

44  That's  like  you,  Martha." 

44  Friends,"  said  Mrs.  B.,  "  you  have  been  exceed 
ingly  kind  to  me,  and  I  am  better  prepared  to  re 
ward  you,  than  I  thought  I  would  be.  Will  one 
hundred  dollars  more  satisfy  you  ?" 

44  Oli  dear  me,  don't  rob  yourself,"  replied  Mrs.  H. 

14  Tell  her  to  accept  the  hundred  dollars,"  Aunt 
Polly  said  to  Martha,  in  an  undertone. 

Mrs.  B.  bid  them  good-bye,  and  de»ired  to  hear 
from  them  at  the  earliest  opportunity. 

44  If  that  woman  is  defeated  insetting  a  bill,  Old- 
ham  will  kill  you,"  remarked  Martha  to  Mrs.  H. 


90  NELLIE  BROWN 

"  Pray,  what  will  he  do  with  you?"  asked  Mrs. 
H. 

"  I  come  in  for  an  equal  share,  but  have  had  little 
to  say  at  this  gathering.  I  pity  her  and  would  be 
delighted  to  see  her  succeed;  but  to  tell  you  the 
truth,  I  don't  think  that  she  has  any  better  show  to 
obtain  a  bill  than  I  have  to  be  Queen  of  England," 
said  Martha, 

"  Business  is  business,"  said  Aunt  Polly.  "  We 
make  our  living  by  it.  "We  should  have  no  sym 
pathy.  It  is  our  duty  to  seize  our  victims  where- 
ever  we  can  find  them,  and  have  no  scruples;  money 
is  what  we  are  after!" 

Mrs.  H.  laughed  and  said: 

"  Your  head  is  clear,  Aunt  Polly." 

"  The  afterpart  is  what  I  dread — that  is  being 
brought  into  Court.  Those  lawyers  are  very  per 
sonating  and  impudent,"  replied  Martha. 

"  If  you  get  paid  for  it,  why  complain  ?  You 
must  learn  not  to  care  or  fear  even  Satan.  Cour 
age  is  what  you  need,"  said  Aunt  Polly. 

Readers  we  will  now  return  to  Mrs.  B.  She 
arrived  home  apparently  gratified  with  her  pros 
pects.  She  told  Sue  of  her  success,  and  the  amount 
she  had  received  from  Mr.  Oldham  and  charged  her 
to  keep  it  a  secret. 

"  Missus,  did  you  get  de  money  ?" 

Mrs.  B.  drew  from  her  pocket  the  bills,  and  said- 
"  Sue,  there  it  is.  I  intend,  after  the  suit,  to  buy 
you  a  handsome  present." 

"Tank  you,  Missus,  you  am  fixed  Am  you 
gwine  to  marry  dat  gentleman  ?" 

"  Sue,  that  is  a  question  to  answer,"  with  a  shrug 
of  her  shoulders.  "  How  would  you  like  to  have 
him  for  your  master?" 


OR  THE  JEALOUS  WIPE.  91 

"  Don  no;  desc  men  are  very  unsartin,  Missus. 
If  you  gwine  to  be  married,  youd  better  gib  me  my 
free  papers." 

"  What  in  the  world  has  come  over  you,  Sue  ? 
What  a  strange  idea !  What  do  you  want  to  be 
free  for,  Sue  ?" 

"  Well,  Missus;  you  see  you  might  dies,  and  dey 
might  send  me  down  Souf.  If  I  is  free  dey  can't 
sell  me  den,  Missus." 

"  Sue,  do  you  know  there  is  more  free  Negroes 
now  than  can  take  care  of  themselves  ?" 

"  Don  no,  Missus;  I  tink  freedom  am  very  good 
for  eberybody." 

"  Don't  talk  so  simple,  Sue;  you  would  starve  to 
death  inside  of  two  weeks." 

"I  speck  not,  Missus.  I  am  got  two  good  hands; 
nebber  starve  as  long  as  I  can  work,  Missus." 

During  the  conversation  Mr.  B.  came  in,  walked 
to  the  sitting-room  and  seated  himself  on  the  sofa. 
Mrs.  B.  passed  to  and  fro  in  the  room  several 
times,  he  taking  little  or  no  notice  of  her.  At  last 
she  inquired: 

"  I  have  one  question  to  ask  you,  sir." 

"What  is  that?" 

"  Do  you  intend  to  oppose  me  in  obtaining  a 
bill  ?" 

"  Madam,  I  am  done  discussing  the  matter;  you 
seek  invariably  to  drag  me  into  a  controversy. 
I  told  you  I  would  defend  my  character  as  long  as 
there  was  an  enemy  who  assailed  it;  and  I  tell  you 
again,  for  the  last  time,  until  we  meet  face  to  face 
in  the  Court  House,  I  will  never  allow  myself  to  be 
taken  a  prisoner  by  those  friends  of  yours  without 
making  a  good  fight." 

"  You  will  be  sick  of  it,  mark  my  words.     If  you 


92  NELLIE  BROWN 

knew  what  was  best  for  you.  you  would  leave  the 
State  and  never  show  your  face  in  it  again.'7 

"  That  is  your  opinion.  I  am  one  of  those  who 
never  run;  nor  am  I  easily  scared." 

Mr.  B.  intended  making  a  visit  to  his  old  home 
at  Richmond,  to  see  his  parents  and  to  remain  there 
until  the  time  for  the  trial  to  come  off.  He  pre 
pared  himself  for  the  journey,  and  ordered  Sue  to 
have  breakfast  early,  and  Pete  to  pack  his  valise 
and  have  Queen  saddled.  Also  a  horse  for  himself, 
as  he  wished  Peter  to  accompany  him  to  the  village. 

On  the  following  morning  everything  was  in 
readiness  at  the  appointed  time.  Before  starting, 
Mr.  B  entered  the  room  of  his  wife  and  kissed  each 
of  his  children  good-bye.  He  then  returned  to  the 
kitchen,  and  told  Sue  to  take  good  care  of  the 
little  ones,  and  bade  her  good-bye.  He  desired 
Peter  to  bring  Queen  back,  as  he  intended  to  take 
the  stage  at  Fairfax. 

Peter  and  his  Master  arrived  at  Fairfax  Village 
the  same  afternoon.  Peter  concluded  to  go  part  of 
the  way  home  that  night.  His  Master  remarked  to 
him: 

"  Peter,  take  good  care  of  everything  until  I 
return." 

"  Yes,  sar." 

His  Master  gave  him  a  twenty  dollar  gold  piece, 
and  bade  him  good-bye. 

Peter  arrived  home  the  following  afternoon. 
His  Mistress  asked  him  what  his  Master  had  to 
say  about  matters  and  things  generally.  Peter 
hesitated  to  tell. 

"  Peter,  I  want  you  to  tell  me  the  truth." 

"  Well,  Missus,  he  speck  you  am  gwiue  to  try  to 
get  de  bill." 


OR   THE   JEALOUS   WIFE.  93 

"  Did  he  say  what  he  expected  would  be  the 
result  ?" 

"  No,  Missus;  he  says  he  am  gwine  to  make  dera 
sick  ob  it." 

"Ha!  ha!  We  will  see  about  that.  Peter,  I 
want  you  to  go  to  the  postoffice  and  inquire  if  there 
is  a  letter  for  me." 

Peter  went  and  inquired  for  a  letter  for  Mrs.  B. 
He  got  one,  and  returned,  and  gave  it  to  her.  She 
opened  it  in  haste,  and  glanced  over  it.  It  was 
from  her  counsellor,  Lawyer  Higgins,  notifying  her 
that  her  case  was  set  for  the  15th  day  of  October. 
Also,  requesting  her  to  have  her  witnesses  in  Court 
on  that  day. 

After  receiving  the  letter  from  Lawyer  Higgins, 
Mrs.  B.  dispatched  the  following  to  Mr.  Oldham: 

BROWN'S  FARM,  Sept.  25th. 
Dear  Josey: — I  hope  these  lines  will  find  you 
enjoying  good  health  as  they  leave  me.  I  am 
pleased  to  inform  you  that '  my  lord  '  left  for  Rich 
mond  day  before  yesterday.  1  should  be  happy  to 
have  you  make  me  a  visit  during  his  absence.  At 
the  same  time,  'discretion  is  the  better  part  of  valor.' 
Peter,  I  am  satisfied,  would  sell  us  at  any  price. 
He  is  his  Master's  pet  Negro;  he  is  a  tattler,  and  I 
dare  not  trust  him.  I  hope  all  things  will  work  for 
our  good.  I  received  a  letter  from  Lawyer  Hig 
gins,  notifying  me  that  the  trial  is  set  for  the  15th 
day  of  October  next.  You  will  do  me  a  kind  favor 
if  you  will  inform  Aunt  Polly,  Mrs.  H.  arid  Martha 
that  my  case  is  set  for  that  day.  As  they  are  the 
principal  witnesses  I  wish  them  to  prepare  for  it, 
and  secure  all  others  that  can  assist  in  the  matter. 
My  dear,  you  will  excuse  this  short  and  brief  let 
ter.  My  mind  is  so  unsettled  that  I  scarcely  know 
what  to  do.  I  hope  you  will  not  regard  my  love 
growing  languid  or  cold  to  you.  Circumstances 
prevent  me  from  writing  you  as  interesting  a  letter 
as  I  would  wish.  In  nineteen  or  twenty  days,  I 


94:  NELLIE  BROWN 

expect  to  receive  an  honorable  discharge  from 
Brown.  Then,  dear  Joe,  I  expect  to  re-enlist  with 
you  for  life.  Be  hopeful,  and  remember  the  "  dark 
est  hour  is  said  to  be  about  the  break  of  day." 
Write  me  a  genuine  love  letter. 

Yours,  affectionately, 

NELLIE  BROWN. 

Mr.  Oldhain  replied  as  follows: 

GREENSVILLE,  September  27th. 
Deaf  Xellie — I  am  delighted  to  acknowledge  the 
receipt  of  your  very  flattering  letter  dated  the  25th 
inst.  I  have  scarcely  slept  a  night  since  our  last 
interview.  You  are  constantly  in  my  mind.  If 
you  should  be  defeated  in  securing  a  bill,  I  am 
forever  a  ruined  and  wrecked  man.  I  am  truly  a 
slave  to  the  passion  of  love.  However  strange  it 
may  appear  to  you,  it  is  nevertheless  true.  I  have 
the  utmost  confidence  in  your  pledge  and  esteem  for 
me;  at  the  same  time  we  are  changeable  creatures; 
I  trust  you  will  be  true  to  your  obligation.  I  shall 
commence,  dear  Nellie,  preparing  for  your  recep 
tion,  and  contemplate  on  our  future  bliss.  Accord 
ing  to  your  request,  I  shall  notify  Aunt  Polly, 
Martha,  and  Mrs.  H.  to  appear  on  the  day  appointed. 
If  they  can  prove  what  they  have  said  they  knew 
of  the  affair,  the  victory  is  ours. 

Yours,  affectionately, 

JOSEPH  OLDHAM. 

Mrs.  B.,  on  reading  the  foregoing  letter,  felt  hurt 
at  Oldham's  doubts  as  to  her  sincerity,  and  wrote 
the  following  reply: 

BROWN'S  FARM,  Sept.  29. 

Dear  Josey — I  received  your  letter,  dated  the 
25th,  and  be  assured  that  it  surprised  me.  You 
seem  to  express  yourself  strangely.  Have  1  given 
you  any  just  cause  to  doubt  rne  ?  Have  not  my 
letters  to  you  been  warm  and  affectionate  ?  I  am 
no  coquette  nor  pretender  of  love  and  friend 
ship,  unless  I  am  convinced  that  those  whom  I 
bestow  it  upon  will  cherish  it.  I  have  not 


OR   THE   JEALOUS  WIPE.  95 

been  unmindful  of  my  pledge  to  you,  Dear 
Josey.  I  fear  you  have  allowed  some  babbler, 
at  an  unguarded  moment,  to  whisper  evil  in  your 
ears.  I  shall  prove  them  to  be  false.  If  such  is  the 
case,  I  shall  look  to  the  day  when  the  sunshine  of 
peace  shall  linger  around  my  pathway,  and  when 
you  and  I  shall  be  the  idols  of  each  other.  Let 
not  such  ideas  haunt  you.  The  golden  pleasures 
of  life  are  too  precious  to  be  lost.  Let  us  improve 
each  passing  hour.  I  hope,  my  dear,  this  letter 
will  ease  your  troubled  breast,  and  disperse  all 
doubts  and  fears.  Keep  a  good  heart.  You 
stated  in  your  letter  to  me,  that  you  were  making 
all  the  necessary  preparations  for  my  reception.  I 
am  glad  to  hear  it.  I  hope  success  may  attend  our 
efforts.  Keep  things  quiet. 

Yours,  affectionately, 

NELLIE  BROWN. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

The  long  looked-for  day  drew  near  for  the  final 
settlemeiit  of  the  case.  Mrs.  B.  made  all  neces 
sary  arrangements  on  the  13th  day  of  October.  On 
the  following  morning  she  ordered  Peter  to  saddle 
Bet,  and  requested  him  to  accompany  her  to  the 
village.  She  bade  Sue  good-bye,  kissed  the  chil 
dren,  and  started.  They  arrived  at  Fairfax  about 
three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon.  As  she  rode  down 
Main  street  she  saw  Mr.  B.,  much  to  her  surprise, 
conversing  with  Lawyer  Montgomery  in  front  of 
the  American  Hotel.  She  said  to  Peter: 

"  There  is  your  master." 

Peter  seemed  delighted  to  get  a  glimpse  of  him 
once  more.  They  put  up  at  the  Washington  Hotel, 

then  kept  by  Mr.  W .  As  she  rode  up,  he 

brought  out  a  chair  and  assisted  her  off.  She  or- 


96  NELLIE  BROWN 

dered  dinner  for  herself  and  servant,  and  food  for 
the  horses.  Peter  led  them  around  to  the  barn  and 
saw  them  amply  provided  for.  He  then  hastened 
up  the  road  to  greet  his  master.  As  he  approached 
his  master  seemed  equally  delighted  to  meet  him 
and  extended  his  hand. 

"  Well,  Peter,  I  see  that  your  mistress  has  come.'7 

"  Yes,  sah;  she  am  here;  she  would  hab  me  come 
along  wid  her." 

"  That  is  all  right,  Peter;  it  is  your  duty  to 
obey  her  orders." 

"  Yes,  sab." 

"  How  are  the  children  and  Sue  ?" 

"Dey  is  fine,  Massa." 

"  When  do  you  intend  starting  for  home  ?" 

"  In  de  morning,  Massa." 

"  I  have  some  things  I  wish  you  to  carry  home  to 
the  children;  call  here  this  afternoon  and  get 
them." 

"  Yes,  sar." 

"Tell  Sue  to  take  good  care  of  the  babes;  I  will 
be  home  in  a  few  days." 

"  Yes,  sar." 

He  and  his  Master  parted. 

The  following  morning,  about  eight  o'clock,  the 
Widow  rode  into  town,  on  horseback,  accompanied 
by  Mr.  Nye.  Two  hours  later  Aunt  Polly,  Mrs. 
H.  and  Martha,  also  arrived,  seated  in  an  ox-wagonj 
just  as  the  names  of  the  witnesses  were  called.  They 
had  scarcely  time  to  arrange  their  toilets.  By  this 
time  the  other  witnesses  were  already  in  Court, 
which  was  crowded  to  its  utmost  capacity.  It  was 
not  long  before  Aunt  Polly  entered  the  Court 
House.  Her  disciples  following  her.  They  were 
the  centre  of  attraction. 


OR  THE  JEALOUS  WIPE.  97 

After  the  examination  of  the  witnesses,  Lawyer 
Higgins  closed  his  case  on  behalf  of  his  client, 
as  follows: 

May  it  please  the  Court  and  you,  Gentlemen  of  the 
Jury — This  case  is  one  of  vast  interest  and  import 
ance.  It  involves  the  liberty,  the  peace,  and 
the  happiness  of  my  client,  Mrs.  B.  The  law,  as  I 
understand  it,  is  to  protect  the  weak  against  the 
encroachments  of  the  strong.  Society,  morality  and 
virtue  needs  to  be  fostered  and  protected.  He  who 
destroys  virtue  wounds  society,  and  deserves  to  be 
punished  to  the  full  extent  of  the  law.  Woman  is 
a  weak  vessel,  and  should  be  shielded  against  the 
attacks  of  men  who  disregard  the  marriage  vow — 
who  violate  its  rights  with  impunity  and  trample 
under  foot  those  whom  they  have  sworn  before 
heaven's  altar  to  cherish  and  protect.  If  justice  is 
the  right  of  the  weak,  in  common  with  the  strong,  it  is 
the  duty  of  this  Court  to  act  unbiassed  and  to  give  jus 
tice  to  whom  it  is  due.  I  shall,  gentlemen  of  the  jury 
for  the  sati  sfaction  of  this  Court,  convince 
you  of  the  guilt  of  Mr.  B.,  who  might  have  been 
a  pattern  of  society,  and  a  congenial  companion. 
But,  like  many  others,  he  has  suffered  himself  to  be 
drawn  into  the  net  of  vice,  and  the  snares  of  crime. 
The  Widow,  I  have  no  doubt,  was  once  the  idol  of 
society.  At  an  unguarded  moment  she  yielded  to 
the  tempter,  and  thus  brought  disgrace  to  her  own 
door.  I  sympathise  for  her,  and  hope  she  is  not 
beyond  redemption.  We  are  creatures  of  circum 
stances  and  are  liable  to  err.  At  the  same  time  I 
am  not  here  to  defend  her  nor  to  excite  sympathy  in 
her  behalf — she  is  a  woman.  But  gentlemen,  it 
would  be  far  better  for  the  peace  and  tranquillity 


98  NELLIE  BROWN 

of  society,  if  persons  like  her  were  transported 
beyond  the  boundaries  of  enlightened  civilization. 
I  have  every  reason  to  believe,  according  to  the 
evidence,  that  she  is  a  dangerous  woman,  who  hesi 
tates  not  to  corrupt  the  pure  and  the  good.  Mr. 
B.  has  brought  dishonor  to  his  home.  The  evi 
dence  introduced  here  is  truthful  and  reliable.  The 
circumstances  surrounding  the  case  would  leave 
little,  if  any,  doubt  in  the  mind  of  the  jurors,  that 
Mr.  B.  is  thrice  guilty.  Many  have  been  convicted 
upon  circumstantial  evidence,  but  the  evidence  in 
troduced  here,  gentlemen  of  the  jury,  is  prima 
facie — the  chain  of  evidence  given  by  Martha,  Mrs. 
Hopkins  and  Mrs.  H.,  is  a  unit;  his  visits  day  after 
dayat  the  Widow's  house,  is  sufficient  itself  to  sat 
isfy  this  Court  that  there  was  something  "rotten 
in  Denmark;"  but,  gentlemen  of  the  jury,  there  is 
another  fact  that  I  wish  to  impress  upon  your  minds, 
though  it  may  not  be  considered  evidence  accord 
ing  to  our  law.  At  the  same  time,  it  has  its  bearing, 
and  shows  clearly  that  Mr.  B.'s  conduct  has  long 
been  suspected.  That  is,  the  various  reports,  (de 
grading  as  they  may  be)  have  again,  and  again  been 
sounded  in  the  ears  of  Mrs.  Hopkins  and  the  lady 
who  was  formerly  known  as  Mrs.  Martha  Love- 
joy,  derogatory  to  the  character  of  Mr.  B.  Gen 
tlemen  of  the  jury,  look  upon  the  lovely  face 
of  Mrs.  B.,  and,  if  you  are  judges  of  human 
nature,  you  can  see  innocence  beaming  from  her 
countenance,  and  say  with  me — "  Pity  in  the  ex 
treme  that  a  lady  of  her  education,  refinement,  and 
disposition  is  thus  sacrificed  by  the  man  who  claims  to 
be  her  benefactor."  He  is  beyond  the  reach  of  hope 
and  mercy,  and  has  forfeited  every  claim  upon  this 


OB  THE  JEALOUS    WIFE.  99 

good  and  virtuous  woman.  She  sits  here,  clothed 
in  spotless  garments  of  purity.  The  marriage  con 
tract,  though  a  civil  contract  and  a  mutual  obliga 
tion,  the  relationship  between  man  and  wife  should 
hold  them  in  the  bonds  of  aifection  as  long  as  each 
faithfully  complied  with  the  duties  attached  to  the 
sacred  rites.  I  have  no  doubt  the  learned  counsel 
for  the  defence  will  soar  aloft  upon  the  wings  of 
imagination,  and  will  undoubtedly  enchant  you 
with  his  eloquent  oratory,  aiming  to  impeach 
the  credibility  of  the  witnesses  for  the  plaintiff. 
The  law  of  holy  writ  denounces  fornication  as  a 
heinous  sin;  and  the  law  of  our  common  country 
has  long  been  a  terror  to  those  who  violate  the 
marriage  vow.  It  is  your  duty,  gentlemen  of  the 
jury,  to  come  to  the  rescue  of  virtue,  and  to  sustain 
morality.  Sin  is  sweeping  through  our  land  like  a 
tornado,  threatening  to  demolish  the  great  temple 
of  society,  and  to  sweep  to  the  bosom  of  destruc 
tion  the  weak  and  the  timid.  Everywhere  we  see 
the  effects  of  sin,  and  its  fearful  results.  Let 
us  not,  as  watchmen  upon  the  walls  of  society 
close  our  eyes  to  these  facts,  but  unite  as  one  man 
in  cherishing  its  growth  and  progress.  We  have 
wives,  and  many  of  us  are  raising  children.  For 
what?  I  trust  not  for  vice,  crime  and  disgrace. 
No !  no !  God  forbid.  For  the  good  of  so 
ciety — may  they  ever  be  its  ornaments,  and  ths 
priceless  jewels  of  our  hearts.  Gentlemen  of 
the  jury,  I  have  said  sufficient,  I  trust,  including 
the  evidence,  to  induce  you,  if  free  fron  preju 
dice  to  render  a  just  decision  for  Mrs.  B. 
She  is  a  wronged  woman.  Upon  your  decision, 
gentlemen  of  the  jury,  depends  her  future.  There 
is  a  higher  Court  whose  Judge  is  a  judge  of 


100  NELLIE  BROWN 

all  living,  and  before  whose  august  bar  the  world 
shall  sooner  or  later  stand  to  be  judged  for  deeds 
committed  on  this  earth.  Think  of  it,  gentlemen 
of  the  Jury.  Consign  her  not  to  a  grave  of 
despair  nor  a  valley  of  gloom.  Sustain  a  feeble 
woman  in  her  rights.  In  conclusion,  we  have  had 
but  one  witness  introduced  against  us,  Mr.  Nye. 
What,  if  you  please,  is  his  evidence?  He  tells 
the  Court  that  on  or  about  July  28th  or  August  1st, 
he  had  business  at  Mrs,  H.'s  house.  As  he  neared 
her  house  he  tells  you  he  heard  strange  voices 
there.  His  curiosity  became  so  great  that  he 
crept  stealthily  around  the  house  and  stole  quietly 
into  her  kitchen,  as  only  a  thief  would  do,  to 
pry  into  matters  that  did  not  concern  him.  He 
tells  you  here  that  he  did  not  see  the  faces  of 
the  parties,  but  heard  the  name  of  Mrs.  B.  men 
tioned  in  connection  with  Mr.  Oldham.  Does  this 
evidence  establish  the  guilt  of  Mrs.  B.?  Do  you 
not  remember,  gentlemen  of  the  jury,  of  reading  an 
account  of  a  murder  in  New  York  City  in  1847, 
on  the  28th  day  of  August.  This  murder  occured 
in  a  front  room  on  the  first  floor.  A  citizen  hap 
pened  (at  the  time  the  difficulty  occured)  to  be  pass 
ing;  he  saw  the  murderer  plunge  his  dagger  deep 
into  the  heart  of  his  victim.  His  evidence  was  ruled 
out  on  the  ground  that  he  saw  the  tragedy  through 
a  glass  window.  Now  gentlemen  of  the  jury, 
if  the  evidence  was  ruled  out — the  witness  in 
the  case,  seeing  it  in  the  broad  sunlight  of  day — 
I  ask  should  not  the  evidence  of  Mr.  Nye  be  dis 
carded,  who  saw  not  the  parties  at  all?  Ac 
cording  to  his  evidence  any  of  us  are  liable  to  be 
convicted  of  crimes  that  transgressors  may  commit, 
if  they  have  a  voice  similar  to  ours.  I  judge  he 


OR  THE   JEALOUS  WIFE.  101 

can  designate  every  resident  of  Virginia  at  the  dead 
hour  of  night  by  their  voices.  If  we  are  defeated, 
I  shall  look  forward  to  the  day  when  virtue  shall 
receive  its  just  reward,  and  men  of  pure  hearts, 
and  clean  hands  will  not  hesitate  to  shield  woman 
against  the  cunning  deception  of  man.  Give  us 
a  society  untainted  with  corruption,  and  courts  that 
hesitate  not  to  punish  crime.  Gentlemen  of  the 
jury,  if  you  entertain  respect  for  the  defendant, 
you  must  not  allow  it  to  fetter  your  ver.plict  nor 
deter  justice.  Act  impartially.  If  so,  the  great 
temple  of  our  society  will  not  fall,  but  will  stand  a 
lasting  monument  until  this  great  nation  has  passed 
away.  Will  you  assist  me  in  defending  society  and 
the  pure  from  the  devices  of  the  wicked  ?  Let 
this  Court  make  an  example  of  all  such  men  as 
Brown.  I  ask  simple  justice  for  the  good  of  society. 
It  is  your  duty,  your  right  and  your  sworn  obliga 
tion,  to  give  justice  to  whom  it  is  due.  She  is  as 
innocent  and  as  pure  from  intrigue  as  an  angel  of 
light,  and  as  free  from  deception  as  a  bird  that 
drifts  in  the  Summer  breeze.  The  evidence  against 
her  is  no  evidence  at  all.  Give  her  hope  of  future 
bliss  and  deliver  her  from  the  dark  and  cheerless 
depths  of  gloom  and  despair.  And  may  she  realize 
by  your  impartial  decision  the  radiant  sunlight  of 
joy,  hope  and  happiness.  I  now  leave  this  case  with 
you,  gentlemen  of  the  jury,  knowing  you  to  be  the 
advocates  of  justice,  the  defenders  of  virtue,  and 
the  friends  of  good  society.  You  can  but  free  her 
from  him  who  has  blasted  her  every  hope  and  paral 
yzed  her  affections.  To  you,  Mr.  Brown,  I  would 
say:  "  Oh !  that  some  invisible  power,  some  angel  of 
light,  would  dart  from  the  realms  of  everlasting 
day  and  warn  you  of  your  wicked  condition." 


102  NELLIE  BROWN 


CHAPTER   VII. 

After  Mrs.  B.'s  counsel  had  concluded,  Lawyer 
Montgomery  began  his  defence  for  the  defendant, 
Mr.  B.,  which  was  as  follows: 

May  it  please  the  Court,  and  you,  Gentlemen  of  the 
Jury — I   have  listened  attentively  to  the   learned 
couDsel   for  the  plaintiff,  Mr.   Higgins.      He  has 
failed  to  argue  the  case  from  any  stand-point.     I 
am  the  sworn  sentinel  of  justice.     It  is  my  duty  to 
guard  well  every  outlet  of  society,  as  well  as  its 
avenues.     I  shall  this  day  hew  to  the  line,  let  the 
chips  fly  in  whose  face  they  may.     I  shall  aim  to 
throw  behind  their  fortifications  of  falsehood  the 
red   hot  shot  of  truth,  and  to  force  the  enemy,  if 
possible,  to  open  combat.     I  am  ready  for  a  fair 
fight.     I  will  seek  to  take  no  undue  advantages. 
I  shall  argue  the  law  upon  its  merits.     Law  is  as 
old  as  God,  and  stood  between  Adam  and  his  Maker 
when  the  creature  violated  it.     Justice  demanded, 
a  propitiation.     The  learned  counsellor  has  endeav 
ored   to  create  and  excite  sympathy  in   behalf  of 
plaintiff,  Mrs.  B.     Law  is  stern  and  inflexible.     It 
has  no  sympathy,  and  he  or  she  who  violates  its 
rights  incurs  its  wrath.     If  my  client  is  guilty  of 
the  crime  alleged  against  him,  he  deserves  its  pun 
ishment.     I  agree  with  the  learned  counsellor  in 
one  particular,  that  society  is  the  great  temple  of 
our  social  and  domestic  happiness,  and   the  pure 
worship  at  its  sacred  shrine.     Knock  out  its  stupen 
dous  pillars  and   desecrate  its   sacred  altars,  and 
that  hour  the  sun  of  morality,  progress  and  litera 
ture  sets  forever  on  this  nation.      This  party,  gen 
tlemen  of  the  jury,  is  a  base  band  of  conspirators, 
combined  together  to  make  war  upon  society,  and, 


OR  THE  JEALOUS  WIPE.  103 

if  possible,  to  poison  its  pure  streams  and  overturn 
its  mighty  pillars.  But,  gentlemen,  justice  is  swift 
on  their  heels.  I  see  guilt  pictured  deep  in  their 
countenances.  It  is  a  great  mystery  to  me  that 
Aunt  Polly,  as  she  is  called,  cannot  see  it.  She 
has  four  eyes.  Being  one  of  the  conspirators, 
of  course,  she  cannot  see  it.  I  shall  scourge  them 
to  the  quick  with  the  lash  of  Truth  and  the  rod  of 
Justice.  I  will  show  this  Court  who  these  women 
are,  and  their  veracity  for  truth. 

[You  could  have  lit  a  candle  in  their  faces  at  this 
moment.] 

Mr.  Montgomery  continued: 

Gentlemen  of  the  Jury — You  have  heard  the  evi 
dence  of  Aunt  Polly ,-'the  great  soothsayer,  Martha 
Lovejoy  and  Mrs.  H.  The  evidence  of  Mrs.  EL  is 
the  strongest  link  in  the  ch&tn,  and  what  is  it  ? 
She  saw  Mr.  B.  and  the  Widow  sitting  side  by  side 
on  an  open  porch,  at  noon-day.  I  ask  the  Court  is 
it  a  crime  for  a  lady  and  a  gentleman  to  sit  side  by 
side  ?  If  there  is  any  law  touching  this  point,  I 
know  it  not.  If  there  is,  I  would  prefer  taking  up 
my  abode  among  heathens — behind  the  bright 
and  glorious  sun  of  civilization.  But  she  comes 
into  the  Court  and  says  that  things  looked  very 
suspicious.  To  the  like  of  her,  I  have  no  doubt 
it  does;  she  is  as  corrupt  and  as  base  as  ever  any 
woman  was.  Like  the  Samaritan  woman  whom 
our  Saviour  interrogated  at  the  well;  she  has  had 
many  husbands,  and  the  one  she  now  has  is  not  her 
lawful  husband.  What  is  the  evidence  of  Mrs. 
Martha  Lovejoy  ?  She  comes  into  Court  with  a 
long  and  increditabie  story.  And  what  does 
it  amount  to  ?  She  says  that  she  has  heard  so  and 
so,  and  saw  Mr.  B.  at  the  Widow's  house  on  sev- 


104  NELLIE  BROWN 

eral  occasions.  When  asked  what  she  saw — she 
saw  nothing.  That  is  pretty  evidence  to  be  intro 
duced  into  our  Courts  to  convict  parties  of  unim 
peachable  character !  What  is  her  character  ?  She 
is  the  vilest  of  the  vile — roaming  from  house  to 
house,  seeking  whom  she  may  devour.  She  is  one 
of  those  disciples  who  believe  that  a  woman  has 
the  right  to  set  aside  the  marriage  vows  at  any 
time,  and  become  the  wife  of  another.  She  is  not 
to  be  believed  on  oath.  The  last,  but  not  the  least, 
is  this  Aunt  Polly,  She  is  the  chief  of  sinners,  and 
the  arch-fiend  of  despair.  She  tells  you  what  she 
has  heard — she  says  she  saw  nothing.  Who  can 
fathom  the  depths  of  her  crimes — the  deception  and 
artfulness  she  is  capable  of  exerting  ?  The  State's 
prison  has  long  been  robbed  of  its  victim,  it 
should  have  been  her  residence  for  the  good  and 
peace  of  society.  She  has  also  had  her  complement 
of  husbands,  and  is  a  terror  wherever  she  can  make 
a  raid  upon  the  innocent  and  virtuous. 

At  this  point,  Lawyer  Montgomery  asked  that 
Aunt  Polly  be  called  to  the  stand  to  answer  ques 
tions  he  proposed  to  ask  her. 

The  Court  assented  and  ordered  her  to  take  the 
stand. 

"Aunt  Polly  ?" 

"  Sir." 

"Are  you  acquainted  with  J.  Oldham  ?" 

"  Slightly." 

"  Do  you  not  know  of  a  certain  sum  being  offered 
for  the  separation  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  B.  by  that  indi 
vidual  ?" 

She  paused. 

"  Remember   you   are   sworn  to  tell  the   whole 


OR  THE  JEALOUS  WIPE.  105 

truth   and   nothing   but   the  truth.     Answer   this 
question  ?" 

"  I  did  hear  Mr.  Oldbam  say  that  he  sympathized 
with  Mrs.  B." 

"  That  is  not  the  question.  I  want  to  know  if 
you  were  not  present  when  a  certain  sum  of  money 
was  offered  for  the  separation  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  B.  ?" 

"  I  heard  Mrs.  H.  say  that  she  expected  to  get 
some  money.  Cannot  recollect  whether  she  named 
the  parties  or  not." 

"You  appear  to  be  very  hard  to  make  under 
stand.  Did  you  not  receive  twenty-five  dollars  from 
Mrs.  B.  for  services  rendered?" 

Aunt  Polly  was  struck  dumb. 

"  Answer  the  question." 

"Mrs.  H.  gave  me  that  amount." 

"  What  did  she  give  it  to  you  for  ?" 

"  A  present,  sir." 

Gentlemen  of  the  Jury,  you  can  see  clearly  that 
the  truth  is  yet  to  be  told.  This  woman  is  a  liar 
by  instinct  and  education.  She  is  a  terrible  wretch 
to  contend  with.  I  will  prove  her  before  I  get 
through,  to  be  the  mother  of  falsehooc^  She  had 
rather  lie  on  six  months  credit  than  to  tell  the  truth 
for  cash.  She  says  Mrs.  H.  gave  her  the  money  as 
a  present.  For  the  satisfaction  of  the  Court,  I 
wish  to  recall  Horace  Nye  on  the  stand  again." 

The  judge  called  Mr.  Nye  to  the  stand. 

"  Mr.  Nye,  please  make  your  statement  again  to 
the  Court  what  you  know  about  this  matter,  and 
answer  any  questions  the  counsellor  may  ask  you,' 
said  the  Judge. 

Mr.  Nye  then  made  the  following  statement : 

"  1  called  at  the  house  of  Mrs.  H.,  according  to 
the  best  of  my  knowledge,  on  business  on  or  about 


106  NELLIE    BROWN 

the  latter  part  of  July  or  the  first  of  August.  As  I 
neared  the  house,  I  heard  several  strange  voices  in 
the  setting-room.  After  listening  a  few  moments,  I 
became  interested  in  the  conversation.  I  left  the 
front  and  crept  quietly  along  to  the  kitchen,  which 
is  on  the  south  side,  to  get  a  better  opportunity  of 
hearing.  The  kitchen  door  was  ajar.  There  was 
no  light  in  the  kitchen.  I  entered  and  secreted 
myself  behind  the  door  leading  to  the  sitting-room. 
I  heard  Mr.  Oldham  ask  Aunt  Polly.  'Do  you 
think  Mrs.  B.  loves  me?7  She  told  him  'Yes/ 
He  then  asked  if  she  thought  they  would  be  success 
ful  in  aiding  her  to  obtain  a  bill.  She  said  there 
was  not  the  least  doubt  of  it." 

Mr.  Higgins  asked  the  witness  what  was  his  busi 
ness  there  ? 

Objected  to  by  Lawyer  Montgomery. 
Objection  sustained  by  the  Court. 
•    Mr.  Nye  proceeded  : 

"  I  heard  Mr.  Oldham  say  that  he  loved  her  as 
dearly  as  his  own  life,  and  that  money  was  no  ob 
ject  if  they  could  only  secure  her  a  bill." 

Lawyer  Montgomery  then  proceeded  with  his  ar 
gument,  as  follows  : 

Gentlemen  of  the  Jury  —  There  is  the  secret. 
[Mrs.  B.  wept  like  a  child.]  These  are  characters 
brought  here  to  swear  away  a  man's  reputation, 
and  destroy  his  domestic  peace  and  happiness. 
Money,  gentlemen,  and  an  outside  lover,  are  the 
causes  of  Mrs.  B.'s  unhappiness.  Now,  gentlemen 
of  the  jury,  I  will  prove  the  fact  more  satis 
factory  before  I  get  through.  It  is  not  uncommon 
for  women,  however  good,  to  become  corrupted 
when  thrown  in  contact  with  such  characters  as 
Martha  Lovejoy,  Aunt  Polly  and  Mrs.  H.  Those 


OR  THE  JEALOUS    WIFE.  107 

loop-holes  through  which  women  leap  must  be  closed 
— the  marriage  rights  protected  and  honored. 
Those  peace-disturbers  should  be  made  to  know 
that  they  will  not  be  tolerated.  Nor  shall  they, 
as  long  as  I  have  a  voice,  corrupt  society.  The 
evidence  of  Mr.  Nye  alone  should  be  sufficient  to 
satisfy  you  of  the  falsehoods  of  these  three  demons 
in  human  shape.  Mr.  Nye's  character  for  veracity 
and  truth  is  unimpeachable.  Those  sharks  who 
prey  upon  the  community  should  be  shunned  as 
vipers.  They  are  as  corrupt  as  the  angels  of  dark 
ness.  It  should  be  stamped  upon  their  foreheads 
with  letters  of  living  light^  that  all  may  read:  •'  Be 
ware  of  those  vampires  of  society,  those  messeng  ers 
of  despair. " 

Mr.  Montgomery  here  requested  that  Mrs.  EL 
should  be  put  again  on  the  witness  stand  to  answer 
a  few  questions. 

The  Court  granted  the  request  and  ordered  Mrs. 
H.  to  come  forward,  which  she  did. 

"  Mrs.  H.}  are  you  not  acquainted  with  Mr.  Old- 
ham  ?» 

"  Great  heavens!7'  she  exclaimed  and  rushed  for 
the  door. 

The  officer  intercepted  her. 
"  You  leper  of  society,  I  have  long  heard  of  your 
notoriety  and  the  deception  you  have  long  practised 
on  the  community.  You  are  puirified  and  smell 
in  the  nostrils  of  society.  You  are  a  beautiful  sub 
ject  to  set  in  judgment  upon  others.  Go !  as  did 
Naman  of  old,  wash  and  be  healed  of  your  malady. 
Answer  the  question?7' 

Mr.  Higgins,  counsel  for  the  plaintiff,  objected/ 
The  Judge  overruled  the  objection. 
Mrs.  H.  replied,  in  a  trembling  voice: 


108  NELLIE   BROWN 

"  Y-e-s,  sir." 

"  Did  you  not  take  the  contract  to  seperate  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  B.  for  a  certain  sum  of  money  ?" 

She  fell  to  the  floor  as  if  shot  with  a  rifle  ball. 

Mr.  Higgins  raise  said  her  to  her  feet. 

*'  I  will  aim  to  throw  the  harpoon  of  Truth  still 
deeper  in  this  wretch  of  misery." 

They  tried  to  resuscitate  her. 

"  Let  her  be,"  said  Mr.  Montgomery.  "  I  trust 
she  has  received  a  death-wound  already.  I  will 
call  the  other  conspirator — Martha  Lovejoy.  Ex 
cuse  me,  madam,  as  I  am  not  acquainted  with  your 
other  title  since  you  have  been  divorced." 

"  Sir !" 

"  Are  you  not  acquainted  with  Mr.  Oldham  ?" 

"  Slightly,  sir." 

"  Do  you  not  know  of  a  certain  sum  having  been 
paid  to  Mrs.  H.  in  hand  for  the  separation  of  Mr. 
B.  and  his  wife  ?  Remember  Ananias  and  Sapphi- 
ra  who  fell  dead  at  the  feet  of  the  Prophet  for 
lying.  Answer  the  question." 

"  I  cannot  say  I  do." 

"  Was  you  not  present  when  Mr.  Oldharn  paid 
the  money  ?" 

"  I  did  not  see  the  money  paid." 

"  Did  you  not  receive  a  portion  of  the  sum  ?" 

She  paused  and  answered: 

"  Mrs.  H.  paid  me  a  bill  she  owed  me." 

"  For  what  ?" 

Mr.  Higgins  objected  to  this. 

The  Judge  sustained  him. 

"  I  have  the  biggest  set  of  perjurers  to  contend 
with  to-day  that  ever  entered  a  Court  house." 

Gentlemen  of  the  Jury — It  is  an  evident  truth 
that  the  testimony  given  by  those  parties  is  anything 


OB  THE  J.KALOUS  WIFE.  109 

but  creditable.  They  have  come  into  Court  with 
lies  upon  their  lips  and  revenge  in  their  hearts. 
They  have  come  to  strip  my  client  of  every  earth 
ly  hope.  Take  from  a  man  his  bosom  companion 
and  his  offspring — you  take  his  all,  and  leave  him 
a  total  wreck  upon  life's  troubled  ocean,  without  a 
compass  or  a  rudder  to  steer  his  frail  bark.  Gen 
tlemen  of  the  jury,  cypher  this  case  down  to  your 
selves.  It  is  then  you  will  be  better  able  to 
render  a  just  decision  against  the  conspir 
ators  who  have  banded  to  undermine  the  founda 
tions  of  society,  and  to  swear  away  the  character  of 
that  worthy  Widow,  and  to  blast  her  hopes  of  future 
happiness.  Her  earthly  all  has  been  stricken  down 
by  the  hand  of  death.  I  ask  you,  gentlemen  of 
the  jury,  shall  she  leave  this  Court  covered  with 
disgrace  or  in  spotless  robes  of  chastity  and  purity, 
as  in  the  past?  Could  her  companion  speak  from 
the  tomb,  he  would  tell  you  that  she  is  a  Christian, 
and  that  her  persecutors  receive  their  mission 
from  the  fiend  who  made  war  upon*  the  saints  of 
heaven,  and  were  hurled  over  its  battlements  and 
confined  in  some  unknown  place  in  God's  universe. 
I  take  back  a  part  of  that,  gentlemen  of  the  jury. 
Aunt  Polly  and  her  craft  know  his  where-abouts. 
I  will  soon  submit  this  case  to  you  for  your  serious 
consideration,  trusting  from  the  evidence  and  its 
credibility  that  you  will  be  able  to  render  a  fair  and 
impartial  decision.  Gentlemen  of  the  jury,  you 
have  heard  the  evidence  for  the  plaintiff  and  the 
defendant.  It  is  for  you  to  determine  the  guilt  or 
the  innocence  of  my  client.  But  for  the  satis 
faction  of  this  Court,  I  will  show  you  the  depravity 
of  a  woman  who  is  said  to  be  a  lady,  a  virtuous  and 
a  prudent  woman.  I  will  now,  gentlemen,  read  you 


110  NELLIE  BROWN 

a  letter  that  she  had  not  the  slightest  idea  was  in. 
the  possession  of  her  husband.'7 

Mrs.  B.  exclaimed: 

"  I  am  a  ruined   woman." 

He  read  the  letter.  The  Court  resounded  with 
applause.  This  letter  was  from  Mr.  Oldham  to 
Mrs.  B.,  their  first  correspondence.  He  then  con 
tinued: 

This  is  the  great  secret  which  has  caused  this 
domestic  war.  I  ask  you,  gentlemen  of  the  jury, 
is  it  not  an  outrage  ?  I  wish  that  Mr.  Oldham  was 
here  present,  I  would  give  him  the  severest  scath 
ing  that  ever  man  had.  He  is  a  miserable  wretch, 
a  fiend  of  despair,  and  deserves  to  be  quartered 
alive.  It  is  not  uncommon  for  women,  when  they 
become  infatuated  with  others,  to  seize  any  pre 
text  to  justify  them  in  their  guilt  and  deceptions. 
Let  us  throw  up  an  impregnable  bulwark  to  protect 
the  just  from  the  machinations  of  the  corrupt.  This 
involves  the  marriage  rite;  al?o  the  character  of  a 
gentleman  that  has  stood  heretofore  unimpeachable 
in  society,  and  whom  I  believe  to  be  perfectly  inno 
cent  of  the  charges  preferred  against  him  to-day. 
Let  him  go  forth  from  this  Court  clothed  with  all 
the  dignity  of  manhood  and  with  no  blot  upon 
his  character.  This  case,  remember  gentleman,  in 
volves  the  happiness  of  Mr.  B.  and  a  rite  we  hold 
sacred.  The  marriage  rite,  whether  a  Divine  or  a 
civil  contract,  is  binding  on  those  who  assume  its 
obligations.  It  is  sanctioned  by  heaven.  They  who 
violate  its  rights  are  not  the  friends  of  society.  It 
is  the  foundation  of  happiness  to  those  who  honor 
it.  It  is  the  agency  of  virtue  and  morality.  It 
raises  woman  to  that  level  for  which  God  created 
her.  I  appeal  to  you,  gentlemen  of  the  jury,  and 


OR  THE   JEALOUS   WIFE.  Ill 

ask  when  the  ties  that  bind  man  and  wife  together 
are  riven  by  the  influence  of  such  characters  as 
Aunt  Polly,  Martha  Lovejoy  and  Mrs.  H.,  whose 
occupation  it  is  to  corrupt  society  and  to  ensnare 
the  innocent  in  their  gins  of  vice.  Where  is 
the  remedy  to  protect  society,  and  to  shield  the 
good  against  the  attacks  of  the  wicked  ?  It  should 
be  found  here.  It  is  for  you  and  every  well-wisher 
to  build  up  an  impregnable  wall  around  society,  so 
high  that  the  wolves  may  not  ascend  it,  and  inscribe 
upon  its  stupendous  pillars  in  characters  bright  and 
vivid,  that  all  may  read  it,  "  None  but  the  good 
dwell  here."  Wedlock  is  the  sun  that  lights  up 
our  moral  sky,  and  points  us  to  future  greatness 
and  grandeur  as  a  nation.  Christianity  will  lose 
its  virtue  and  power.  The  night  of  heathenism 
will  have  spread  its  gloomy  mantle  over  the  radiant 
skies  of  our  fond  hopes  and  cherished  institutions. 
As  long,  gentlemen  of  the  jury,  as  reason  keeps  her 
throne,  and  I  have  a  voice,  I  will  ever  defend  the 
just  against  the  attacks  of  the  unjust.  Heaven  grant 
that  I  may  ever  prove  to  be  the  friend  and  advocate 
of  Truth.  Men  and  women  may  disguise  it  and 
crush  it  to  the  earth.  It  will  rise  again  in  its 
strength  and  beauty.  Why,  gentlemen  of  the 
jury  ?  Because  God  is  its  Divine  author.  Thous 
ands  have  become  martyrs  because  they  dared  to 
utter  it.  They  rejoiced  to  die  in  its  defence.  I  be 
lieve  when  time  and  eternity  shall  shake  hands — 
when  the  mighty  nations  of  earth  are  entombed  in 
the  great  sepulchre  of  time — when  earth  and  sea 
shall  give  up  their  dead — Justice  and  Truth  will 
be  Heaven's  brightest  attributes.  Let  us,  as  Chris 
tians,  fear  God  and  obey  his  teachings.  I  have 
detained  the  Court  longer  than  I  expected.  Hoping 


112  NELLIE  BROWN 

that  you  will  bear  with  me  a  few  moments  longer,  I 
wish  now  to  address  my  remarks  to  Aunt  Polly 
and  her  wicked  disciples.  Aunt  Polly  !  the  sil 
very  hairs  of  your  head  denote  that  you  have 
lived  nearly  your  allotted  days.  You  are  fast 
ripening  for  the  grave,  and  must  soon  become  an 
inhabitant  of  the  spirit  world.  You  should  be  the 
last  one  engaged  in  so  wicked  a  scheme.  You  are 
gliding  down  the  hill  of  life.  You  are  standing 
upon  the  very  verge  of  eternity.  Your  life  has 
been  spent  in  vice  and  crime.  I  fear  Satan  has 
already  secured  a  Bill  of  Sale  of  your  wicked  soul. 
Oh  1  that  God  in  his  mercy  may  save  you  from  that 
death  that  never  dies.  Seek  favor  to-day  of  God. 
Do  you  not  know  God  abhors  the  slanderer,  the 
liar,  the  back-biter  and  the  enemies  of  morality  ? 
He  will  visit  them,  not  in  mercy  but  in  wrath. 
Those  who  seek  to  destroy  the  happiness  of  their 
fellow-beings  are  as  much  to  be  dreaded  as  the 
angels  of  night.  Well  may  tears  course  down  your 
cheeks.  I  trust  they  are  signs  of  repentance. 
Heaven  pity  you !  Mrs.  H.,  you  are  a  wicked  and 
malicious  woman.  The  recording  angel  of  heaven 
blushes  to  record  your  sins.  You  are  as  wily  as  a 
fox.  Your  depth  of  crime  is  hard  to  fathom.  You 
are  as  treacherous  as  a  serpent  and  as  destructive 
as  a  wild  beast.  Well  may  you  blush  and  hang 
your  guilty  head.  You  have  lost  every  trait  that 
characterizes  and  adorns  woman  as  the  loveliest 
of  creation.  Love  purity  and  goodness  are  a 
strangers  to  you.  You  have  not  one  redeeming 
trait  of  character.  "Who  shall  enter  the  Kingdom 
of  Heaven  ?  She  that  hath  clean  hands  and  a 
pure  heart."  You  have  wronged  this  just  Widow 
to-day,  and  have  sought  to  cover  her  with  shame 


s 


OR  THE  JEALOUS  WIPE.  113 

and  disgrace.  You  have  wounded  her  soul.  You 
have  sought  by  stratagem  and  device  to  tear  asun 
der  man  and  wife.  But  I  have  implicit  confidence 
in  the  integrity  of  this  jury  to  protect  her  and  him 
from  the  pit  which  you,  Aunt  Polly  and  Martha  have 
dug  for  them.  The  time  has  come  that  a  fearful  ex 
ample  should  be  made  of  such  pests  and  renegades 
as  you  have  proven  yourselves  to  be.  I  hope,  gen 
tlemen  of  the  jury,  you  may  never  again  be  called 
upon  to  witness  such  a  vile  combination  of  corrup- 
tionists  and  perjurers  as  have  presented  themselves 
here  to-day.  1  leave  you,  Mrs.  H.,  in  the  hands  of 
a  just  God.  Martha,  you  are  young  in  years  but 
old  in  crime.  You  might  have  been  an  ornament 
to  society,  and  exerted  a  good  influence  in  behalf 
of  the  community.  Your  very  nature  is  sinful  and 
wicked.  You  are  in  the  wrong  path.  Your  asso 
ciates  are  of  the  most  desperate  character.  They 
are  as  destructive  as  the  lion  of  the  forest.  Oh  ! 
that  I  could  induce  you  to  forsake  sin  and  become 
a  useful  member  of  society.  Flee  from  it.  Sin 
kills  beyond  the  tomb.  I  trust  you  may  reform 
and  become  the  associate  of  Christians.  If  I 
forget  to  defend  the  holy  institutions  bequeathed 
to  us  by  the  Blessed  Saviour  and  His  devoted 
followers,  let  my  right  hand  fprget  its  cunning 
We  see  the  works  of  God  and  His  power  and  glory 
in  the  starry  sky.  We  see  it  in  every  blade  of 
grass.  We  behold  it  in  the  great  deep.  May  we, 
as  a  nation  favored  of  God,  keep  His  holy  command 
ments  and  reverence  the  marriage  vow.  I  admit 
there  are  causes  which  may  justify  separation.  For 
instance  :  God,  the  Giver  of  our  moral  law,  has  de 
clared  in  holy  writ  that  adultery  should  be  the  only 
cause  for  a  divorce,  other  causes  may,  in  extreme 


114  NELLIE  BROWN 

cases,  justify  a  separation;  none  of  which  operate  in 
the  present  case.  Persons  often  marry  others  who 
are  not  their  equals,  and  who  cannot  be  raised  to 
their  grade  of  intelligence.  Such  persons  are  placed 
in  an  unpleasant  position.  This  alone  should  not 
justify  a  divorce,  though  mortifying  to  those  who 
are  connected  with  such  persons.  Incompatibility 
of  temper  is  another  evil  that  causes  much  unhappi- 
ness.  Many  other  causes  I  could  name,  gentlemen 
of  the  jury,  if  time  would  permit.  Let  us  reverence 
the  God  of  our  forefathers.  He  who  directed  the 
Pilgrim  fathers  in  the  days  of  darkness  and  despair. 
He  nerved  their  souls  when  oppressed  by  British 
rule.  When  the  sword,  disease  and  hunger  swept 
them  down,  the  God  of  nations  hovered  around 
them.  Their  bloody  foot-prints  were  left  in  the 
snow  as  an  evidence  of  devotion  to  freedom  and 
religious  institutions.  By  His  divine  aid,  they  tri 
umphed  gloriously.  Allow  me  to  thank  the  court 
for  its  indulgence.  I  now,  gentlemen  of  the  jury, 
leave  the  case  with  you  for  your  consideration,  be- 
lieving  you  think  as  I  do  that  it  is  a  conspiracy, 
formed  for  the  overthrow  of  the  great  fabric  of 
morality,  and  to  crush  the  fond  hopes  and  aspi 
rations  of  the  souls  of  those  who  cherish  it. 


CHAPTER    VIII. 

At  the  closing  of  Mr.  Montgomery's  argument 
Judge  Johnson  charged  the  jury  as  follows  : 

Gentlemen  of  the  Jury — This  case  is  one  that  in 
volves  the  interest  of  each  of  the  parties  to  this 


OR  THE  JEALOUS  WIPE.  115 

suit.  I  regret  much  the  unhappy  results  growing 
out  of  it.  The  marriage  rite  is  a  sacred  one  and 
should  be  preserved  inviolate.  We  are  told  in 
sacred  writ:1  "Those  that  God  joined  together,  let 
no  man  put  asunder."  They  become  man  and  wife 
under  those  sacred  vows.  By  their  choice,  they 
preferred  their  case  to  be  tried  by  you,  gentlemen 
of  the  jury,  which  is  rather  unusual,  but  it  relieves 
me  from  the  unpleasant  duty  of  rendering  a  decis- 
sion.  Let  me  here  say  to  you,  gentlemen  of  the 
jury:  First — Divest  yourselves  of  all  personal  pre 
judices,  if  the^re  should  be  any  against  either 
of  the  parties  present.  Second — Take  into  consid 
eration  the  character  of  the  witnesses  here  intro 
duced  for  and  against  the  parties  interested  in 
this  suit,  and  their  character  for  truth  and  veracity. 
Thirdly — Examine  carefully  the  weight  and  bear 
ing  of  said  testimony  given.  Fourthly — Make  a 
close  analyzation  of  the  facts  and  of  the  correspond 
ence  of  Mrs.  B.  and  Mr.  Oldham.  If  then,  in  your 
judgment,  you  believe  Mr.  Brown,  the  defendant, 
to  be  guilty  of  the  charges,  it  is  for  you  to  render 
a  fair  and  impartial  decision  in  favor  of  Mrs.  B. 
If  there  should  be  any  doubts  on  your  minds,  the 
defendant  should  have  the  benefit  of  said  doubts. 
And  if  Mr.  B.  is  not  guilty,  he  should  be  honorably 
exonerated  from  the  chrgaes.  The  marriage  rite 
must  be  respected,  and  the  laws  of  our  common 
country  enforced,  to  protect  the  weak  against  the 
encroachments  of  the  strong. 

The  Judge  then  handed  the  letter  to  the  foreman 
of  the  jury.  The  jurors  retired,  and  after  being  out 
an  hour  and  a  half  brought  in  a  verdict  of "  not 
guilty,"  which  was  received  by  the  spectators  with 
loud  applause. 


116  NELLIE  BROWN 

The  Judge  then  admonished  them  to  bury  the 
hatchet  of  domestic  strife,  and  return  to  the  em 
braces  of  each  other.  Mrs.  B.  advanced  to  her 
husband  and  threw  her  arms  around  his  neck  and 
kissed  him,  with  tears  rolling  down  her  cheeks. 
The  scene  was  truly  indescribable,  tears  stood  Jn 
every  eye,  and  silence  reigned  throughout.  This 
was  an  impressive  lesson  to  them.  They  pledged 
themselves  mutually  that  death  alone  should  sever 
them  from  each  other. 

The  Judge  then  addressed  Aunt  Polly,  Martha 
Lovejoy  and  Mrs.  H.  as  follows:  » 

"  I  pity  these  unfortunate  women  who  have  taken 
pleasure  in  degrading  themselves,  and  have  sought 
to  rob  a  virtuous  lady  of  her  character.  The  God 
of  heaven  has  promised  to  be  a  husband  to  the 
Widow.  His  guarding  angel  has  stood  near  her 
in  this  her  hour  of  trial  and  affliction.  Aunt  Polly, 
Mrs.  H.  and  Martha  Lovejoy  have  sought  for  gold 
to  blast  the  hope  of  the  just,  and  to  destroy  the 
happiness  of  others,  which  gold  nor  silver  cannot 
purchase.  I  have  been  on  the  bench  for  twenty 
years.  I  never  witnessed  such  characters  intro 
duced  in  court.  I  regret  much  that  an  example 
cannot  be  made  of  such  persons.  Who  is  more  to 
be  feared  than  the  slanderer?  Who  is  more  danger 
ous  to  society?  God's  revenge  will  visit  them. 
You  are  guilty  of  a  the  most  heinous  crime  which 
is  in  the  calendar,  murder  excepted.  Your  educa 
tion  has  been  neglected.  You  have  become  hard 
ened  in  sin.  I  trust  in  God  you  never  will  enter 
this  room  while  I  occupy  this  bench." 

The  house  resounded  with  applause.  They  stood 
trembling  like  prisoners  condemed  to  death. 

The  Judge  continued:  "  If  I  had  the  power,  I 


OR  THE  JEALOUS  WIPE.  117 

would  consign  them  to  a  prison  that  should  be  built 
and  dedicated  to  slanderers  and  liars.  No  one  is 
secure  from  their  attacks.  Every  city,  town  and 
village,  is  infested  with  such  persons.  They  are  a 
disgrace  to  any  community.  They  are  enemies  to 
God  and  man.  Who  of  us  here  have  been  exempt 
from  the  spleen  of  the  calumniator,  and  our  names 
heralded  from  house  to  house?  Heaven  is  surely 
the  only  place  exempt  from  the  wicked.  There  the 
wicked  cease  from  troubling,  and  the  weary  are  for 
ever  at  rest.  Your  verdict,  gentlemen  of  the  jury, 
gives  me  great  satisfaction,  and  I  trust  the  public 
generally  will  be  benefited  by  it.  Had  these 
geniuses  succeeded  in  their  plans,  so  well  arranged 
and  conseived,  the  whole  neighborhood  would  have 
been  endangered.  Every  man  and  woman  who 
felt  the  least  aggrieved  would  apply  for  a  bill,  disre 
garding  the  holy  rite  of  matrimony.  We  have 
established  a  precedent  that  heaven  sanctions.  I 
am  proud  to  say  Lawyer  Montgomery  has  lifted 
high  the  banner  of  morality  to-day.  He  has  done 
his  duty  and  done  it  well.  If  other  counsellors 
would  follow  his  example,  we  would  soon  have  a 
far  better  state  of  things.  For  a  paltry  sum  of 
money  lawyers  would  divorce  the  Church  of  Christ, 
although  purchased  with  His  precious  blood.  Leave 
the  Court,  you  vile  wretches/''  said  the  Judge,  to 
Aunt  Polly  and  her  disciples. 

They  were  hooted  out  of  the  court,  followed 
by  an  excited  crowd.  Many  ladies  gathered  around 
the  Widow  and  Mrs.  B.  Mr.  B.'s  friends  con 
gratulated  him.  Mrs.  B.  approached  the  Widow 
and  fell  upon  her  knees,  with  tears  coursing  down 
her  cheeks  and  said: 


118  NELLIE   BROWN 

"  Will  you  forgive  me?  I  have  wronged  truly 
my  best  and  truest  female  companion.77 

The  Widow  kissed  her  and  said: 

"  Nellie,  I  love  you  still." 

They  left  the  court-house  together,  Mrs.  B.  lean 
ing  upon  her  husband7s  arm,  weeping  as  though  her 
heart  would  break. 

So  ends  the  great  divorce  case  of  Virginia. 

In  conclusion,  we  have  yet  left  many  persons  like 
Mrs.  H.,  Aunt  Polly,  and  Martha  Lovejoy,  whose 
chief  delight  is  to  meddle  with  everybody's  busi 
ness  arid  sow  tte  seeds  of  discord. 


OCTOROON  SLAVE  OF  CUBA. 


Jane  Gray  was  the  daughter  of  a  wealthy  physi 
cian  of  New  Orleans.  She  possessed  all  the  require 
ments  of  a  finished  education.  She  was  handsome 
and  charming.  She  swayed  a  magical  influence 
over  her  associates.  She  moved  in  the  first  circles 
of  society  ;  she  made  many  friends — none  had  less 
enemies.  She  was  left  an  orphan  at  the  tender 
age  of  one  year  and  three  months.  Her  father's 
brother  adopted  her.  They  spared  neither  money 
nor  pains  to  educate  her.  Her  father  left  her  a 
handsome  fortune  at  his  death.  Jane  knew  but 
little  concerning  her  mother.  She  often  heard  Mrs. 
James  Gray  remark  what  a  beautiful  girl  her  sister 
Louisa  was.  How  unfortunate  it  was  she  had  been 
kidnapped.  Jane  never  would  have  known  that 
she  had  a  sister,  if  it  was  not  for  the  information 
derived  from  Mrs.  Gray.  She  had  many  admirers. 
Gentlemen  of  refinement  and  wealth  sought  to  cap 
ture  her  noble  heart.  These  offers  she  declined. 
Through  the  course  of  social  events  she  made  the 
acquaintance  of  a  Mr.  Zevoe,  a  Cuban  planter.  He 
was  by  no  means  prepossessing  or  attractive,  but  he 
was  reported  to  be  worth  two  millions  of  dollars. 

He  was  not  long  in  securing  her  consent  to  unite 
with  him  in  the  sacred  bonds  of  matrimony.  Her 
adopted  father  and  mother  were  not  well  pleased 
with  her  choice,  but  offered  no  serious  objections. 
They  regretted  it  much,  because  their  blood  had 


120        OCTOROON  SLAVE  OP  CUBA. 

been  kept  pure  so  many  generations  with  but  a 
slight  mixture  of  African  -  blood  coursing  through 
Jane's  veins  (of  which  fact  she  was  ignorant),  should 
now  be  corrupted  with  Spanish  mixture.  However, 
they  were  married  on  the  twenty-sixth  day  of  Sep 
tember.  Shortly  after,  they  obtained  passage  on 
the  old  ship  "  Sea  Monster,"  which  was  advertised 
to  sail  on  the  first  day  of  October  for  Cuba.  They 
made  every  preparation  that  was  necessary  for  the 
voyage.  On  the  morning  of  the  first  of  October, 
at  half-past  eight  o'clock,  according  to  arrangement, 
a  carriage  was  at  the  door  of  the  residence.  The 
morning  was  indeed  lovely,  and  seemed  to  be  the 
omen  of  happiness  and  joy  to  bride  and  groom. 
The  two  parlors  were  crowded  with  her  friends 
and  acquaintances,  who  came  to  bid  her  farewell. 
Many  who  could  not  gain  access,  rushed  to  the 
steamer  to  await  their  coming. 

It  was,  indeed,  a  day  long  to  be  remembered. 
Women  wept.  Strong  men  with  warm  hearts  could 
not  conceal  their  tears.  The  bride  and  the  groom 
entered  the  coach,  accompanied  by  her  adopted 
parents.  The  driver  was  not  long  in  whirling 
them  to  the  landing,  where  were  congregated  a 
host  of  her  friends,  who  crowded  aboard  of  the 
steamer  to  bid  her  an  affectionate  farewell.  The 
captain,  in  the  course  of  thirty  minutes,  gave  orders 
to  notify  the  guests  to  go  ashore,  which  they  did 
many  with  tears  coursing  down  their  cheeks.  The 
signal  was  then  given  to  cast  off  the  moorings. 
Jane  rushed  on  deck  to  gaze  upon  her  friends 
ashore.  By  this  time  the  steamer  was  drifting  out 
in  the  deep  and  heading  for  the  ocean.  Jane  Zevoe 
was  so  much  affected,  she  could  scarcely  wave  her 
handkerchief  as  a. token  of  farewell.  Jane  lost 


OCTOROON  SLAVE  OP  CUBA.        121 

sight  of  her  friends  in  the  distance.  She  then  cast 
her  weary  eyes  upon  the  stately  domes  and  edifices 
of  her  native  city.  She  looked  eagerly  upon  them, 
until  they  faded  from  her  view  in  the  glorious  sun 
light  of  an  Autumn  day.  Strange  emotions  filled 
her  soul  as  the  ocean  widened  the  space  between 
her  and  the  home  of  her  childhood.  She  retired  to 
her  state-room  to  reflect  upon  the  scenes  and  pleas- 
sures  of  the  past. 

She  wept  long  and  bitterly.  Her  husband  tried 
to  soothe  her  grief  by  telling  her  to  cast  her  all  on 
him.  To  her  he  would  be  a  father  and  a  husband. 

Nothing  worthy  of  note  transpired  during  the 
voyage.  On  the  fifth  day  of  October,  the  gallant 
ship  cast  anchor  in  the  harbor  of  Havana.  At 
half-past  eight  o'clock  in  the  morning,  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Zevoe  went  ashore  and  ordered  breakfast  and  a  suite 
of  rooms  at  the  Planters7  Hotel.  Here  they  re 
mained,  recruiting  themselves  from  the  effects  of 
their  late  voyage.  Here  she  was  the  centre  of  at 
traction,  and  received  many  calls  from  the  nobility 
of  Cuba.  She  received  the  blessings  of  many 
who  hoped  that  the  radiant  sunbeams  of  hap 
piness  and  joy  would  shine  brightly  around  her 
pathway. 

On  the  twelfth  day  of  October,  her  husband  pro 
cured  a  carriage.  They  left  early  on  that  morning 
for  his  plantation,  which  was  sixteen  miles  from  the 
city  of  Havana.  They  arrived  safe  at  four  o'clock 
at  their  country  mansion,  which  was  not  at  all  pre 
possessing  to  the  bride  for  its  architecture.  Rachel, 
the  negro  servant,  after  shaking  hands  with  her 
master,  received  a  slight  introduction  to  her^  new 
mistress,  whom  she  escorted  to  the  parlor,  which 
looked  cheerless  and  ancient  to  Mrs.  Zevoe.  The 


122  OCTOROON  SLAVE  OF  CUBA. 

only  furniture  that  it  contained  was  a  half  dozen 
cane-bottom  chairs,  an  old  dingy  desk,  a  settee,  a 
rocking  chair,  and  a  plain  old  fashioned  bureau. 
The  floor  was  not  robed  with  purple  carpet,  but 
was  dressed  with  plain,  common  matting.  Jane 
made  herself  as  cheerful  as  circumstances  would 
permit.  She  felt  as  though  her  brightest  and  hap 
piest  days  had  passed.  Mr.  Zevoe,  after  settling 
with  the  driver  and  arranging  outside  matters,  en 
tered  the  parlor. 

He  saw  at  a  glance  that  she  was  neither  cheerful 
nor  happy.  He  engaged  in  conversation  with  her 
in  regard  to  his  future  plans  and  prospects.  While 
they  were  conversing,  Rachel  was  busying  herself 
preparing  for  supper.  When  the  repast  was  ready 
she  notified  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Zevoe.  They  entered 
the  dining-room,  which  exhibited  neither  taste  nor 
style.  She  partook  of  the  supper,  which  did  not 
suit  her  palate  or  appetite.  After  supper  she  con 
cluded  to  take  an  observation  of  the  rooms  in  the 
dwelling.  Rachel,  being  delighted  with  her  appear 
ance,  offered  to  escort  her,  which  offer  was  accepted. 
They  were  not  long  in  exploring  the  premises. 
She  was  more  disappointed  than  she  had  been  pre 
viously.  They  contained  nothing  worthy  of  note. 
She  told  Rachel  she  felt  greatly  disappointed  in 
the  appearance  of  things,  but  requested  Rachel  not 
to  speak  of  it  to  her  Master.  She  returned  to  the 
parlor  unable  to  disguise  her  feelings. 

He  again  renewed  the  conversation  and  asked 
her  how  she  liked  the  appearance  of  things.  She 
smiled,  but  not  cheerfully,  and  said: 

"  I  suppose  it  will  do." 

He  then  told  her  that  he  intended  to  furnish  the 
house  complete,  and  had  left  his  order  in  New  York, 


OCTOROON  SLAVE  OF   CUBA.  123 

which  he  expected  would  arrive  in  thirty  days. 
She  thought  it  very  strange  that  he  did  not  have 
the  house  furnished  previous  to  their  arrival.  He 
offered  some  slight  excuse.  The  clock  chimed  ten, 
and  they  retired  to  bed.  They  arose  next  morning 
at  eight  and  breakfasted,  after  which  they  took  a 
morning  walk.  The  air  was  pure,  invigorating  and 
fragrant  with  the  odor  of  flowers.  The  sun  was 
just  climbing  the  eastern  horizon,  spreading  its 
golden  rays  over  Nature's  favored  landscape.  The 
birds  were  pouring  forth  their  melodies.  All  Nature 
seemed  to  lend  its  beauties  and  loveliness  to  wel 
come  Jane  Zevoe.  Yet  she  was  not  happy.  She 
told  her  husband  of  a  strange  dream  she  had  during 
the  night  about  her  long  lost  sister.  She  saw  her 
and  conversed  with  her.  He  asked  her  under  what 
circumstances  she  left. 

"  I  only  know  what  I  learned  from  my  adopted 
parents  concerning  Louisa,"  said  Jane;  "  she  was 
playing  with  some  children  in  the  neighborhood. 
She  was  not  more  than  six  or  seven  years  of  age 
at  the  time  and  was  induced  to  follow  a  man  under 
the  promise  of  presenting  her  with  candy  and  toys. 
She  has  never  been  seen  from  that  day  to  this. 
They  say  they  advertised  for  her  in  every  paper  in 
the  State  and  offered  large  rewards  for  her  recov 
ery.  That  is  all  I  know  about  it.  I  would  give 
the  world,  with  all  its  wealth,  to  see  her.  They 
tell  me  she  is  the  striking  likeness  of  my  father." 

"  My  dear,  I  sympathize  with  you.  A  sister's  love 
is  incomprehensible  to  one  like  myself.  I  have  not 
a  relative  living  on  earth;  but  I  will  use  my  en 
deavors  to  assist  you  to  recover  her.  I  have  a 
slave  on  this  plantation  that  anybody  would  take  to 


124  OCTOROON  SLAVE  OP   CUBA. 

be  you,  not  knowing  that  she  had  African  blood  in 
her  veins." 

"  Ah,  indeed,"  said  Mrs.  Zevoe;  "  I  am  sure  she 
is  not  a  relative  of  mine,  for  my  family  are  of  pure 
Saxon  blood;  nevertheless  I  would  like  to  see  her." 

By  this  time  they  had  returned  to  the  house. 
He  excused  himself  and  left  to  attend  to  some 
business  on  the  plantation.  Mrs.  Zevoe  entered 
into  conversation  with  Rachel  and  asked: 

"  Have  you  ever  seen  a  colored  woman  on  the 
plantation  that  your  master  says  resembles  me  so 
much?" 

"  I  have;  she  resembles  you  slightly." 

"  Where  did  you  come  from,  Rachel  ?"  asked 
Mrs.  Zevoe. 

"  I  came  from  New  Orleans." 

"  Is  it  possible,"  says  Mrs.  Zevoe,  "  that  you  come 
from  my  native  state,  tell  me  who  you  belonged  to 
there  ?" 

"  I  was  owned  when  quite  small,  by  a  man  named 
William  Jackson.  His  property  was  attached  for 
debt;  myself  and  mother,  including  other  slaves, 
were  sold  at  public  auction  in  New  Orleans.  A 
Doctor  Gray  purchased  me  to  take  care  of  a  little 
girl  called  Jane,  whose  mother  and  an  older  sister 
the  doctor  sold,  because  she  displeased  him.  He 
took  a  fancy  to  little  Jane,  and  concluded  to  raise 
and  educate  her." 

"  Did  you  ever  see  the  woman  and  child  he  sold  ?" 

"No,  madam;  they  were  sold  before  I  went  to 
live  with  the  doctor.'7 

"  How  old  do  you  think  the  girl  was  when  she 
was  sold  ?" 

"  I  have  heard  others  say  she  was  between  six 
and  seven." 


OCTOROON  SLAVE  OF   CUBA.  125 

"  How  old  was  this  child  Jane,  when  you  went 
to^nurse  her?" 

"  She  was  just  able  to  toddle  around  a  chair;  in 
deed,  I  often  felt  sorry  for  the  dear  little  creature,- 
although  I  took  great  care  of  it.  It  ate  and  slept 
with  me." 

"  How  long  did  you  live  with  the  doctor  ?" 

"  Nine  months." 

"  Why  did  you  leave  him  ?" 

"  He  died  during  the  nine  months.  His  brother 
was  left  executor  of  the  doctor's  estate:  they  con 
cluded  to  adopt  little  Jane  as  their  own  child.  The 
doctor's  brother  was  opposed  to  holding  slaves;  he 
sold  me  to  a  minister,  who  promised  to  take  good 
care  of  me.  I  went  to  live  with  him;  his  wife's 
health  was  very  poor.  They  concluded  to  take  a 
trip  to  Cuba  to  improve  her  health.  We  arrived 
here  safe.  I  waited  upon  her  day  and  night;  by 
constant  care  and  attention  a  change  took  place  for 
the  better,  and  in  six  months  she  finally  recovered. 
For  my  faithful  attention  to  her,  they  promised 
never  to  part  with  me.  After  remaining  here  eight 
months,  they  concluded  again  to  return  to  Louisiana. 
The  day  before  they  left  I  was  notified,  by  a  gentle 
man,  that  I  was  his  individual  property.  This  I 
could  not  believe;  I  rushed  into  the  sitting-room, 
where  my  mistress  was,  and  asked  her  if  such  were 
the  facts.  She  replied: 

" '  Rachel,  our  means  are  about  exhausted .  Mr. 
Cook  was  compelled  to  dispose  of  you  to  raise  funds, 
as  he  did  not  wish  to  send  home  for  more  means.  I 
think,  Rachel,  you  have  a  good  master  in  Mr. 
Zevoe,  and  a  comfortable  home,  so  you  must  en 
deavor  to  make  yourself  contented.'  Tears  coursed 
down  my  cheeks  as  those  words  fell  from  her  lips. 


126  OCTOROON   SLAVE  OF   CUBA. 

I  long  entertained  the  hope  of  returning  home  with 
them." 

"  Indeed,  they  treated  you  very  mean.  But  you 
must  put  your  trust  in  God.  His  blessings  and  His 
mercies  He  bestows  upon  the  just  and  the  good. 
His  vengeance  and  His  wrath  shall  visit  the  unjust. 
I  shall  do  all  in  my  power  to  make  matters  pleasant 
for  you  during  my  stay." 

Eachel  thanked  her  kindly. 

The  following  morning  Mrs.  Zevoe  and  Rachel 
prepared  themselves  to  call  and  see  Louisa.  Rachel 
remarked  before  leaving  the  house: 

"  Mr.  Zevoe  would  not  like  it,  as  he  notified  me 
to  have  no  communication  with  her  whatever,  and 
I  have  not  seen  her  but  once  since  I  have  been 
here." 

"  What  does  she  do,  Rachel  ?" 

"  I  don't  think  she  does  anything  more  than  take 
care  of  her  house  and  children  when  they  are  at 
home." 

"  Is  not  her  children  with  her  ?" 

"  No,  madam;  Mr.  Zevoe  wrote  from  New  Orleans 
before  he  started,  to  have  the  children  moved  to 
the  Lower  Plantation,  which  orders  were  complied 
with." 

"  Who  is  the  father  of  her  children  ?" 

Rachel  smiled,  and  said: 

"  Indeed,  I  could  not  say." 

"  Whether  it  pleases  or  displeases  Mr.  Zevoe,  we 
shall  call  to  see  her.  What  is  the  distance  from 
here  to  her  house  ?" 

"  Three  miles." 

"  It  will  be  a  pleasant  wMk  for  us." 

They  started  and  by  half-past  nine  o'clock  stood 
in  front  of  a  neat  cabin,  covered  with  honey-suckles. 


OCTOROON  SLAVE  OF  CUBA.        127 

They  knocked.  The  door  was  opened  by  a  woman 
who  was  fairer  than  her  master,  prepossessing  in  her 
appearance  and  affable.  Rachel  remarked  to  Louise: 
"  I  wish  to  introduce  you  to  our  new  mistress, 
Mrs.  Zevoe." 

Here  stood  the  handmaid  of  slavery  and  the 
queen  of  refinement.  Louisa  acknowledged  her 
superiority  with  a  polite  bow.  Mrs.  Zevoe  saw  at 
a  glance  a  striking  resemblence  between  Louisa 
and  her  father's  portrait,  which  hung  in  the  parlors 
of  her  adopted  parents.  They  entered  into  conver 
sation,  during  which  Mrs.  Zevoe  asked  Louisa  where 
she  was  from.  She  answered: 

"I  was  born  in  the  city  of  New  Orleans." 
"  When  did  you  leave  there  ?" 
"I  suppose  it  is  now  about  eighteen  years." 
"  Under  what  circumstances  did  you  leave  ?" 
"  My  mother  and  I  were  sold   to  a  planter  in 
Texas,  by  the  name  of  Cravan.     He  promised  not 
to  separate  us.     After  living  with  him  one  year, 
he  sold  me  to  a  man  by  the  name  of  Hood,  whom  I 
must  say  had  neither  principle  nor  honor.     I  de 
clared  I  would  not  live  with  him.     He  sold  me  to 
Mrs.  Zevoe,  the  father  of  your  husband." 
"  How  long  have  you  been  here  ?" 
"  Nearly  ten  years." 
"  Are  you  married  ?" 

"  I  am  not,  although  the  mother  of  three  children." 
"  Pray  tell  me  who  is  the  father  of  your  children?" 
Louisa  hesitated  a  few  moments  and  said: 
"  It  is  not  for  me  to  say;  you  will  know,  perhaps, 
if  you  remain  on  the  plantation." 

Mrs.  Zevoe  could  scarcely  suppress  her  love  and 
affection  for  Louisa.  She  believed  her  to  lie  her 
long-lost  sister.  She  asked: 


128  OCTOROON  SLAVE  OF   CUBA. 

"  I  suppose  you  have  some  knowledge  of  your 
mother?" 

"  I  have;  I  often  see  her  tall  form  and  her  cheer 
ful  countenance  in  my  mind. " 

"  Was  she  handsome  ?" 

"  She  was  not;  but  she  had  one  of  the  sweetest 
dispositions  that  a  woman  was  ever  blessed  with." 

"  What  was  her  complexion  ?" 

"  She  was  a  brown-copper  color,  with  long  wavy 
hair  and  good  features." 

"Had  she  any  other  children  besides  yourself?  " 

"  She  had  a  baby  called  Jane,  of  which  I  have 
a  faint  recollection." 

Louisa  and  Rachel  both  noticed  that  Mrs.  Zevoe 
labored  uuder  great  mental  embarrassment  which 
she  was  endeavoring  to  overcome.  Louisa  and  Ra 
chel  were  intelligent  and  might  be  regarded  as 
judges  of  human  nature.  They  knew  not  what 
wrought  upon  her  feelings,  unless  she  believed  that 
Mr.  Zevoe  was  the  father  of  Louisa's  children. 

"Louisa,"  said  Mrs.  Zevoe,  "I  pity  your  condition." 

Here  again,  her  feelings  showed  signs  of  distress. 

"  I  may  be  of  service  to  you.  If  I  can  possibly 
better  your  condition,  I  shall  use  my  best  endeavors 
to  do  so." 

She  bade  her  good-bye,  and  promised  to  see  her 
at  an  early  day.  She  was  convinced  Louisa  was 
her  sister,  and  that  Rachel  had  watched  over  her 
when  a  little  infant;  but  she  revealed  the  secret  to 
neither  of  them.  She  remarked  to  Rachel  on  their 
return: 

"I  want  you  to  tell  me,  confidentially,  what  you 
think  of  Mr.  Zevoe.  I  have,  in  a  degree,  lost  con 
fidence  in  the  man.  I  believe  he  gambles.  My 
reasons  for  thinking  so  is — he  sat  up  two  nights  on 


OCTOROON  SLAVE  OF  CUBA.        129 

our  voyage  and  came  in  to  the  state-room  several 
times  to  get  sums  of  money.  Besides  I  have  de 
tected  him  in  several  stories." 

41  If  I  can  speak  with  you  confidentially,  I  will 
post  you  a  little,"  replied  Rachel. 

"  You  can  place   implicit  confidence  in  me.     I 
will  never  divulge  a  word  of  it." 

"  I  am  sorry  for  you;  I  know  him  well.     He  is 
not  the  man  to  make  you  happy.     I  am  expecting 
every  day  to  see  every  thing  on  this  plantation  at 
tached  for  debt,  myself  included." 
11  Can  it  be  possible  ?" 

"Yes;  it  is  mortgaged  for  every  dollar  it  is  worth.'' 
"  Oh,  heavens !  what  silly  creatures  women  are 
to  be  duped  by  such  men.  But  say  nothing.  I  will 
endeavor  by  stratagem  to  secure  your  freedom. 
Bo  you  believe  he  left  his  orders  in  New  York  for 
furniture  to  be  shipped  ?" 

Rachel  shook  her  head,  and  said: 
"You  don't  know  the  man." 
"  I  have  made  up  my  mind  firmly  to  make  my 
stay  here  but  short.     Has  he  anything  ?" 

"  He  has  a  small  plantation  south  of  here,  which 
I  believe  is-not  mortgaged.  The  overseer  claims  it 
in  order  to  keep  off  his  creditors.  It  is  said  to  be 
wortjh  thirty  or  forty  thousand  dollars." 

"  If  such  is  the  fact,  I  shall  try  to  revenge  my 
self  upon  him." 

When  they  returned  home,  Mr.  Zevoe  was  there. 
He  had  been  absent  nearly  the  entire  day.  Mrs. 
Zevoe  approached  him  affectionately  and  kissed 
him.  He  said: 

"  Dear  Jane,  I  could  not  live  without  your  pres- 


130        OCTOROON  SLAVE  OP  CUBA. 

"  I  am  happy  to  know  that  you  love  me,  and  love 
me  dearly/'  replied  Mrs.  Zevoe. 

"  Have  you  been  taking  a  walk  ?" 

"  I  called  to  see  your  white  slave." 
•    "I   am  surprised  at  your  thinking  that  she  is 
white." 

He  continued  the  conversation  by  asking  her 
what  she  thought  of  Louisa. 

Mrs.  Zevoe  carelessly  remarked: 

"  I  think  she  would  make  me  a  good  waiting- 
maid.  With  her  and  Rachel,  I  think  I  could  run 
this  establishment,  and  make  myself  contented.  I 
have  one  request  to  make  of  you." 

"What  is  it,  my  dear?" 

"  I  want  you  to  make  me  out  a  bill  of  sale  in  my 
own  name  for  Louisa  and  Rachel,  making  them  my 
own  individual  property." 

Mr.  Zevoe  laughed  and  said: 

"  That  is  just  what  I  intended  doing." 

"  Louisa  has  three  children,  has  she  not?" 

He  seemed  for  a  moment  silent.  After  recov 
ering  himself,  he  replied: 

"  She  has." 

"  Who  is  the  father  of  her  children?" 

"That  is  a  matter  I  have  not  troubled  myself  to 
ascertain.  We  are  glad  to  have  our  property  in 
crease.  It  pays  good  interest  on  the  money  in 
vested.' 

Mrs.  Zevoe  smiled,  and  said: 

"  You  will  not  think  I  am  at  all  inquisitive.  It 
is  a  matter  that  interests  me  but  little." 

"  To-morrow  I  will  get  Lawyer  Wilson  to  draw 
up  the  papers.  He  will  be  in  the  neighborhood, 
and  he  promised  to  make  me  a  call  before  returning." 

Accordingly,  the  lawyer  arrived  the  following 


OCTOROON  SLAVE  OF  CUBA.         131 

morning.  Mr.  Zcvoe  was  not  in  at  the  time.  The 
madam  and  him  entered  into  conversation.  She 
informed  him  what  she  desired  him  to  do.  Lawyer 
Wilson  asked  her  if  she  had  the  consent  of  her  hus 
band,  and  if  he  would  sign  the  papers.  Mrs.  Zevoe 
said  he  would.  He  then  said: 

"  It  will  be  a  capital  thing  for  you.  I  have  been 
his  attorney  for  years. " 

"  How  does  his  business  matters  stand  ?  " 

"  They  are  not  in  a  healthy  condition.  I  shall 
advise  him  also  to  make  over  the  Lower  Plantation 
to  you." 

"  I  hope  you  will.  I  think  you  have  influence 
enough  with  him  to  affect  it." 

During  the  conversation,  Mr.  Zevoe  made  his  ap 
pearance  and  expressed  himself  highly  gratified  to 
see  Lawyer  Wilson.  After  conversing  a  few  mo 
ments,  he  told  the  counsellor  what  he  desired  him 
to  do  in  reference  to  Rachel  and  Louisa. 

"  It  is  a  wise  act  upon  your  part." 

The  lawyer  asked  him  to  step  outside;  he  wished 
to  have  a  private  conversation  with  him.  They 
walked  out  and  had  quite  a  consultation.  His 
attorney  said: 

"  Your  affairs  are  in  a  critical  condition.  The 
mortgage  on  your  property  will  be  due  in  a  few 
days.  I  am  satisfied  you  are  not  in  a  condition  to 
meet  it.  If  so,  you  had  better  give  your  wife  a 
deed  also  of  the  Lower  Plantation." 

"  You  are  aware  that  my  overseer,  Mr.  Lamar, 
has  a  deed  of  that  property. 

"I  am  satisfied  he  will  cancel  it  if  agreeable  to  you." 

"Perfectly." 

11  Where  is  he  ?" 


132  OCTOROON   SLAVE   OF   CUBA. 

"  He  left  here  a  short  time  since  for  Havana  on 
business;  he  will  not  return  for  several  days." 

"  I  will  see  him  in  the  city  and  have  a  talk  with 
him  about  it." 

They  then  returned  to  the  house  and  took  the 
names  of  Louisa  and  Rachel,  and  their  ages. 

"  The  documents  will  be  prepared  day  after 
to-morrow.  You  must  sign  them,  and  I  will  have 
them  recorded,"  said  Lawyer  Wilson. 

"  I  shall  be  in  town  in  a  day  or  two,  and  will  call 
at  your  office." 

After  dining,  the  lawyer  bade  them  good  day. 
The  following  day  he  met  Mr.  Lamar  in  the  streets 
of  Havana  and  spoke  to  him  on  the  subject.  He 
said  he  was  perfectly  willing  to  resign  his  claims  to 
the  plantation,  notwithstanding  Mr.  Zevoe  owed 
him  some  twelve  hundred  dollars;  yet  he  had  con 
fidence  that  Mr.  Zevoe  would  pay  every  dollar. 
Lawyer  Wilson  took  him  to  the  Recorder's  office 
to  cancel  his  claim,  with  the  understanding  that 
Mr.  Zevoe  would  give  him  his  note,  with  an  en 
dorser  for  the  amount.  The  lawyer  gave  him  his 
word  that  it  would  be  done,  and  made  out  the  pa 
pers,  turning  the  estate,  together  with  Louisa  and 
her  children  and  Rachel,  over  to  Mrs.  Zevoe. 
The  second  day  following,  Mr.  Zevoe  arrived  in 
the  city.  The  documents  were  signed  and  re 
corded. 

Mr.  Zevoe  told  Lawyer  Wilson  that  his  wife 
wished  him  to  call  out  and  see  her  in  the  course  of 
a  few  days.  He  said  he  would  go  and  bring  the 
documents  with  him.  Owing  to  a  pressure  of  busi 
ness  he  was  detained.  He  wrote  her  a  letter  con 
gratulating  her  on  her  success — telling  her  he  would 
call  and  see  her  as  soon  as  an  opportunity  would 


OCTOROON  SLAVE  OF   CUBA.  133 

afford.  She  wrote  a  reply  asking  him  to  make  out 
free  papers  for  Rachel  and  Louisa  and  her  chil 
dren,  and  to  bring  them  when  he  came,  but  not  to 
divulge  it  to  any  living  soul. 

Mr.  Zevoe  was  absent  some  days  before  return 
ing.  During  this  time,  Mrs.  Zevoe  again  called 
upon  Louisa  and  said: 

"  Louisa,  the  lost  is  found." 

"  What  have  you  lost  and  found  ?  " 

"  I  lost  a  beloved  sister  years  ago." 

"  She  threw  her  arms  around  her  neck,  embraced 
and  kissed  her,  and  said: 

"  You  are  my  beloved  sister." 

"  Oh,  heavens  !"  exclaimed  Louisa,  "can  it  be  that 
this  is  my  dear  sister  Jane?" 

Mrs  Zevoe  was  overcome  and  could  not  utter  a 
sentence.  When  she  recovered,  she  said: 

u  This  is  Jane.  Oh !  how  I  have  longed  to  see 
you.  But  much  to  my  surprise  and  shame,  I  find 
you  the  victim  of  slavery  and  the  concubine  of  your 
own  master,  who  regards  you  and  your  children  as 
chattels.  What  a  cursed  institution  slavery  is? 
How  damning  is  its  effects  !  It  fetters  the  intellect 
and  robs  virtue  of  its  purest  jewel.  It  brings  shame 
and  disgrace  to  the  door  of  many  a  woman  who 
would  be  an  ornament  to  society,  were  it  not  for 
the  cursed  sin.  Though  a  woman's  skin  be  black, 
her  soul  can  be  as  pure  as  the  purest  Saxon.  I 
have  been  reared  in  the  lap  of  luxury.  I  am  the 
favored  child  of  fortune." 

"  Can  you  not  redeem  me  from  this  life  of  shame 
and  degradation  ?"  asked  Louisa. 

"  1  will  free  you  and  your  children  at  all  hazards." 

They  again  embraced  each  other  and  wept.  Jane 
said: 


134:  OCTOROON  SLAVE  OP   CUBA. 

"  You  shall  be  as  free  as  the  air  that  blows.  I 
desire  you  to  keep  this  a  secret  to  the  grave.  Do 
not  reveal  that  I  am  the  daughter  of  a  Negro 
woman  or  the  sister  of  a  slave.  It  would  blast 
my  hopes  forever  in  this  life.  It  would  leave  a 
stain  upon  nie  that  never  could  be  wiped  out.  You 
know  the  prejudices  that  are  entertained  against 
persons  in  whose  veins  course  the  slightest  mixture 
of  African  blood.  I  have  moved  in  the  first  circles 
of  society  and  have  been  the  guest  of  the  wealthiest 
families  of  my  State.  I  was  educated  to  believe  I 
was  of  the  purest  Saxon  blood.  How  humiliating 
it  would  be  to  me  to  be  rejected  and  scorned  be 
cause  of  my  origin.  I  myself  entertain  no  preju 
dices  against  caste,  and  acknowledge  God  to  be  the 
common  father  of  the  human  family.  But,  Louisa, 
be  cheerful.  I  will  be  your  benefactor. 

She  bade  Louisa  good-bye  and  requested  her  to 
call  and  bring  the  children  to  the  house  on  the  fol 
lowing  Thursday.  She  then  left  for  home.  When 
she  arrived  Rachel  told  her  that  Lawyer  Wilson 
had  called  and  left  a  package  for  her,  and  that  he 
regretted  her  absence." 

"  I  should  have  liked  so  much  to  have  seen  him," 
said  Mrs.  Zevoe. 

She  took  a  seat  and  opened  the  package.  It 
contained  the  documents  making  Rachel,  Louisa 
and  her  children,  and  the  Lower  Plantation,  her 
individual  property.  She  felt  much  delighted,  but 
did  not  mention  it  to  Rachel.  Mr.  Zevoe  returned 
from  Havana  the  following  morning.  He  did  not 
find  Mrs.  Zevoe  as  cheerful  as  he  expected.  He 
told  her  what  he  had  done  in  making  her  the  sole 
owner  of  certain  property.  She  thanked  him  and 


OCTOROON  SLAVE  OF  CUBA.        135 

asked  if  the  plantation  on   which   they   lived   was 
free  from  debt.     He  said  it  was. 

"  I  heard  in  Havana  that  your  home  plantation 
was  mortgaged  for  every  dollar  it  was  worth,"  said 
Mrs.  Zevoe. 

"  Nonsense;  you  know  there  are  persons  in  this 
world  who  attend  to  everybody's  business  but  their 
own.  Such  characters,  my  dear,  envy  you  your 
wealth." 

Little  did  he  think  that  she  knew  the  depth  of 
his  purse  and  the  amount  of  his  liabilities.  He 
supposed  he  had  a  young  woman  that  would  give 
herself  more  concern  about  social  pleasures  than 
business  matters.  But  suclj  was  not  the  case.  Mr. 
Zevoe,  after  they  had  quite  a  chat,  asked  her  if 
she  would  not  loan  him  fifteen  hundred  dollars  as  he 
had  a  speculation  in  view  which  would  pay  him 
.  well  for  the  amount  invested. 

"  You  are  aware  that  you  have  already  used  some 
twenty-five  hundred  dollars  of  my  money.7' 

"  I  am;  I  will  have  a  check  from  New  York  in  a 
few  days  for  ten  thousand  dollars.  Then  I  will 
return  you  the  amount." 

"As  you  are  expecting  it  in  a  few  days,  you  had 
better  not  make  any  investment  until  you  receive 
it." 

Mrs.  Zevoe  winked  at  Rachel  and  smiled.  Mr. 
Zevoe  left  the  house.  Mrs.  Zevoe  laughed,  and  re 
marked  to  Rachel : 

"  I  judge  he  takes  me  to  be  an  unsophisticated 
wife." 

"I  think  so  too." 

"  Rachel,  you  will  see  a  change  here  on  Thursday 
next." 

"  Do  you  intend  leaving  us  so  soon  ?" 


136         OCTOROON  SLAVE  OF  CUBA. 

"  You  will  know  when  the  time  comes." 

Rachel  was  totally  ignorant  of  what  Mrs.  Zevoe 
had  in  contemplation,  or  of  the  relationship  existing 
between  Louisa  and  Mrs.  Zevoe. 

"I  trust  you  will  never  leave  me  here,"  said 
Rachel. 

"  Keep  a  good  heart.  Be  hopeful.  God  works 
in  mysterious  ways,  His  wonders  to  perform/7 

"That  is  true.  I  have  been  a  believer  in  His 
goodness  and  His  mercy  for  a  number  of  years." 

"  Still  trust  in  Him,"  said  Mrs.  Zevoe. 

Mr.  Zevoe  returned  to  the  house,  but  did  not 
seem  to  be  in  very  good  humor. 

Nothing  special  transpired  until  Thursday  morn 
ing,  when  Louisa  arrived  with  her  children.  Mr. 
Zevoe  was  the  first  person  Louisa  met  when  she 
approached  the  house.  He  remarked: 

"  How  do  you  do,  Louisa  ?  I  suppose  you  have 
called  to  make  your  mistress  a  visit." 

She  smiled.  He  then  spoke  to  her  in  a  tone  not 
audible.  Rachel  was  busying  herself  about  the 
kitchen,  yet  she  had  an  eye  on  her  master  and 
Louisa.  Mr.  Z.  requested  her  to  go  in  the  kitchen 
and  take  a  seat  and  he  would  notify  her  mistress  of 
her  arrival.  He  walked  into  the  parlor  and  told 
Mrs.  Zevoe  that  her  maid  had  come. 

"  Who  ?"  she  asked. 

"  Louisa  and  her  brats." 

"  Ask  her  to  walk  in  the  parlor." 

On  her  entering  the  parlor,  neither  Jane  nor 
Louisa  betrayed  any  signs  of  friendship.  Mrs. 
Zevoe  remarked  to  Louisa: 

"  Are  those  your  children  ?" 

"  Yes,"  replied  Louisa. 

"  They  are  fine  and  healthy  looking." 


OCTOROON   SLAVE   OP   CUBA.  137 

Mr.  Zevoe  sat  without  taking  any  part  in  the 
conversation,  It  was  the  first  time  that  Mrs.  Zevoe 
had  seen  Louisa's  children.  After  learning  the 
names  of  the  children,  she  took  little  Eddy  by  the 
hand  and  said  in  an  excited  tone: 

"  Mr.  Zevoe,  I  have  the  painful  duty  of  introducing 
you  to  your  own  children.  They  are  bone  of  your 
bone,  flesh  of  your  flesh." 

He  started  from  his  seat,  saying: 

"  Madam,  I  deny  the  charge.77 

Mrs.  Zevoe,  pointing  to  little  Eddy,  said  : 

"  That  child  alone  is  sufficient  evidence  to  convict 
you  of   the  charge  in  any  Court;    he  is,  indeed,  a 
photograph  of  the  man  who  disowns  his  own  chil 
dren,  that  a  king  would  be  proud  of.77 
.     "  Your  brain,  madam,  must  be  diseased.77 

"  Louisa,  upon  this  issue  is  hinged  your  freedom 
and  future  happiness.  I  ask  you  a  question  to-day 
that  I  never  asked  you  before.  Are  not  these  chil 
dren  Charles  Zevoe7s  ?77 

Louisa  hung  her  head  and  blushed. 

"  I  wish  you  to  tell  me  the  whole  truth,77  said 
Mrs.  Zevoe. 

Louisa,  in  a  tremulous  voice,  said  : 

"  They  are.77 

Mr.  Zevoe  rushed  towards  Louisa  like  a  madman. 
Jane  stepped  between  them,  as  fearless  as  a  Roman 
soldier,  and  defied  him  to  lay  his  hands  upon  her  at 
the  peril  of  his  life,  and  exclaimed  : 

'*  I  have  sworn  this  day,  in  the  presence  of  high 
heaven,  never  to  live  with  you  again.  I  have  de 
creed  my  own  divorce.  She,  sir,  was  as  pure 
as  the  fleeting  snow  until  you  robbed  her  of 
chastity  and  liberty.  If  you  possessed  a  spark  of 
manhood,  you  would  love  her  and  honor  her  chil- 


138        OCTOROON  SLAVE  OP  CUBA. 

dren.  You  regard  her  as  your  inferior,  because  a 
a  tinge  of  African  blood  courses  through  her  veins. 
She  is  too  noble  a  creature  to  be  your  slave  or  your 
wife." 

Under  that  roof,  slavery  and  freedom  met  hope  and 
despair.  Joy  and  sorrow  each  struggled  to  defend 
freedom's  claims.  Jane,  armed  with  the  weapons 
of  Justice  and  Truth,  struck  slavery  a  terrible  blow. 
Her  soul  was  inflamed,  her  feelings  aroused  and  her 
pride  wounded,  to  find  her  sister  the  subject  of 
slavery. 

Jane  continued: 

"  It  is  to  her,  sir,  you  owe  your  love  and  affec 
tion.  She  has  borne  you  three  lovely  children." 

Louisa  was  much  affected,  Rachel  stood  by  with 
tears  in  her  eyes.  Mr.  Zevoe  remained  silent.  His 
very  soul  wrung  with  bitterness.  She  took  Louisa 
by  the  hand  and  led  her  affectionately  to  where 
he  was  seated. 

"  Charles  Zevoe,  1  ask  you  to-day — will  you  not 
accept  of  Louisa  to  be  your  wedded  wife.  My 
name  is  no  longer  Jane  Zevoe,  but  Jane  Gray." 
He  spoke  not  a  sentence.  Mrs.  Zevoe  said: 
"  Louisa,  by  powerjui  me  invested,  I  install  you 
mistress  of  this  castle.  Here  are  papers  securing 
to  you  and  your  children  freedom.  I  will  also 
make  you  a  deed  to  the  Lower  Plantation.  I  will 
secure  Lawyer  Wilson  to  see  that  you  are  protected 
in  your  liberty  and  property.  God  forbid  !  I  should 
reap  the  benefits  of  that  which  justly  belongs  to 
you  and  your  children.  Be  careful  and  do  not  allow 
yourself  to  be  swindled  out  of  the  property  I  shall 
deed  to  you.  I  stand  here  to-day  as  a  minister  of 
justice  and  the  advocate  of  human  rights.  I  ask 
you,  Charles  Zevoe,  in  the  presence  of  high  heaven, 


OCTOROON   SLAVE   OP   CUBA.  139 

will  you  not  take  Louisa  to  be  your  wife?  Treat 
her  as  a  companion,  not  as  a  slave.  Your  silence, 
I  suppose,  gives  consent." 

She  then  placed  her  hand  in  his.  Lifting  her 
eyes  heavenward,  offered  a  fervent  and  devout 
prayer,  and  pronounced  them  man  and  wife.  She 
kissed  each  of  them  and  blessed  the  children. 
She  then  said  to  Louisa: 

"  I  wish  to  speak  with  you  privately." 

They  entered  the  adjoining  room.     She  said: 

"  To-morrow  morning  I  shall  bid  you  farewell !" 

Neither  could  subdue  their  feelings. 

"Dear  sister,"  said  Louisa, "  do  you  intend  to 
leave  me  ?  What  will  become  of  me  ?" 

"  I  am  ever  your  sister  in  the  bonds  of  affection; 
you  must  write  me  often — under  an  assumed  name. 
I  expect  a  carriage  to  arrive  here  every  moment. 
If  it  arrives  we  shall  be  off  to-morrow  morning, 
bright  and  early." 

"  Do  you  intend  to  take  Rachel  with  you  ?  " 

"  Yes,  poor  thing,  I  could  not  think  of  leaving 
her  behind.  She  will  be  the  only  recompense  I 
will  have  for  the  twenty-five  hundred  dollars  that 
Mr.  Zevoe  used  of  my  money.  I  have  her  free  pa 
pers  in  my  possession  and  will  give  them  to  her 
when  we  arrive  ia  New  Orleans." 

On  her  return  to  the  room  she  said: 

"  Charles  Zevoe,  I  freely  forgive  you  for  the 
injuries  I  received  at  your  hands.  I  will  not  ex 
pose  you.  My  parting  request  is  to  treat  Louisa  as 
becomes  a  husband.  Educate  your  children  and 
respect  her.  I  will  wear  the  weeds  of  mourning  for 
you  when  I  return  to  that  home  where  the  sunshine 
of  gladness,  joy  and  peace  ever  shed  its  effulgent 
rays.  No  night  of  gloom  or  sadness  entered  its 


140        OCTOROON  SLAVE  OP  CUBA 

chambers.  If  you  are  asked  for  I  will  tell  my 
friends  I  have  buried  you  in  the  sea  of  forgetful  ness. 
However  unpleasant  it  may  be,  circumstances 
compel  me  to  pursue  this  course.  However  sacred 
the  bonds  of  matrimony  may  be  regarded,  I  look 
upon  it  as  being  a  civil  contract  between  the  parties, 
and  when  either  wilfully  and  knowingly  violate  its 
duties,  I  hold  it  to  be  the  duty  of  the  injured 
party  to  seek  redress.  There  is  no  law,  temporal 
or  Divine,  that  can  compel  a  woman  or  a  man  to 
live  with  those  who  are  repugnant  to  them.  It 
behooves  every  individual  to  seek  happiness,  regard 
less  of  the  smiles  .and  frowns  of  the  world.  Per 
sonal  pride  induce  many  to  eke  out  a  miserable 
existence,  who  have  married  persons  not  adapted 
to  them  in  feeling  or  diposition.  I,  this  day,  decree 
my  own  divorce.  Whether  censured  or  sustained 
by  public  sentiment — I  care  not.  Honesty,  virtue, 
truth  and  diligence  cling  together  and  hang  around 
the  neck  of  memory." 

"  Can  it  be  tfiatyou  had  discarded  my  affections, 
deceived  and  betrayed  my  confidence  ?"  asked  Mr. 
Zevoe. 

"  I  look  not  to  the  fleeting  shadows  of  time,  but 
to  eternity.  Where  the  secrets  of  all  hearts  shall 
be  revealed.  If  I  have  done  good,  I  shall  be  the 
recipient  of  the  mercies  of  a  just  God.  If  wrong, 
even  in  this  case,  I  shall  receive  His  condemnation. 
Conscience,  sir,  like  a  thorn,  is  ever  pricking  the 
soul  of  the  wicked,  warning  them  to  repent.  It  is 
the  faithful  sentinel  of  God.  I  wish  you  not  to  enter 
tain  the  slightest  hopes  of  me.  I  am  dead  to  you — 
dead  forever !  I  intend  again  to  launch  this  frail 


OCTOROON  SLAVE  OP  CUBA.        141 

bark  upon  the  ocean  of  chance,  never,  I  hope,  to  be 
captured  by  a  pirate  in  disguise  P 

"  Do  you  consider  me  to  be  a  pirate?"  asked  he. 

"  I  do;  one  of  the  deepest  dye." 

"  What  have  I  robbed  you  of?" 

"  Of  my  good  name  and  my  happiness." 

Mr.  Zevoe  stood  like  a  prisoner,  condemned 
without  hope. 

"  Shall  crime,  guilt  and  sin  outlive  Justice,  Truth, 
and  Righteousness.  No !  never !  My  soul  was 
sick  within  me  when  I  entered  this  castle.  It  bore 
the  signs  of  misery,  distress  and  unhappiness.  I 
have,  sir,  one  request  to  ask  of  you.  Will  you 
treat  Louisa  as  your  bosom  companion  ?" 

About  seven  o'clock  p.  M.,  the  coach  arrived,  they 
intended  starting  early  the  following  morning.  Miss 
Jane  and  Each  el  prepared  themselves  for  the  trip. 
Rachel  was  greatly  overjoyed  when  Miss  Jane  in 
formed  her  that  she  intended  taking  her  to  New 
Orleans.  She  charged  Rachel,  on  her  arrival  home, 
never  to  speak  of  the  circumstances.  If  she  did,  to 
say  Charles  Zevoe  was  dead.  Rachel  promised  to 
do  as  requested. 

Mr.  Zevoe  and  Rachel  are  still  ignorant  of  the 
relationship  of  Jane  to  Louisa. 

Nothing  occurred  during  the  evening.  After 
supper,  the  new  bride  and  her  children  occupied  the 
room  of  the  late  Mrs.  Zevoe.  Miss  Gray  and 
Rachel  slept  together.  Straiige  to  say,  she  arose 
with  a  complexion  as  fair  as  ever  after  sleeping  with 
a  Negro  woman.  They  bade  Louisa  an  affectionate 
farewell,  and  kissed  the  children.  Mr.  Zevoe  was  so 
much  enraged  that  he  left  the  house  before  break 
fast  and  did  not  return. 

The   parting  scene   was   truly  affecting.     Jane 


142         OCTOROON  SLAVE  OP  CUBA. 

promised  Louisa,  faithfully,  she  would  write  on 
her  arrival  at  New  Orleans.  They  stepped  into 
the  carriage  and  bade  Mr.Zevoe  and  his  plantation 
a  final  adieu. 


MY    TRIP    TO    BALTIMORE. 


I  once  lived  in  the  District  of  Columbia,  near 
the  National  capital.  I  had  a  friend  who  resided 
in  Bladensburg,  about  six  miles  from  the  City  of 
Washington,  named  William  Savoy.  He  was 
a  white  nigger.  I  had  occasion  to  go  to  Bal 
timore.  I  concluded  to  make  my  friend  a  visit, 
as  Bladensburg  lay  directly  on  the  turnpike. 
About  this  time  the  stage  coaches  were  transmog 
rified  into  railroad  cars,  and  horses  manufactured 
into  steam  engines.  That,  you  know,  added  greatly 
to  their  speed.  In  accordance  with  my  plans,  I 
visited  my  friend  William.  He  was  delighted  to 
see  me,  and  made  me  agreeably  welcome,  notwith 
standing  he  was  much  whiter  than  myself.  He 
cooked  for  himself.  Opposite  to  him  lived  a  white 
family,  from  whom  he  bought  milk.  The  morn 
ing  after  I  arrived,  the  rain  poured  down  in  tor 
rents.  He  asked  me  to  go  over  and  get  some  milk 
while  he  prepared  breakfast,  which  I  did.  I 
knocked  at  the  milk-lady's  door  hastily,  haring  a 
desire  to  get  shelter  from  the  rain.  She  opened 
the  door.  I  presented  my  milk  pitcher.  She 
received  it  with  one  hand  and  closed  the  door  in 
my  face.  Of  course  I  said  nothing.  I  had  learned 
even  in  that  dark  age  of  the  world  that  many 
whites  disliked  the  nigger — some  for  one  thing, 


144  MY  TRIP  TO  BALTIMORE. 

some  for  another.  In  most  cases,  because  of  his 
color. 

Next  morning,. my  friend  William  went  over  for 
milk.  He  knocked  and  was  invited  in.  He  stayed 
so  long  I  finally  went  to  look  for  him.  I  knocked 
at  the  door.  The  landlady  opened  it  and  there  sat 
William  at  the  breakfast  table  with  the  white  folks. 
The  lady  ordered  me  around  to  the  kitchen  door, 
which  I  readily  obeyed.  After  reflecting,  I  said: 
"  Well,  well!  the  whiter  the  Nigger  the  better  he  is, 
and  the  nearer  he  is  a  man."  I  began  to  think 
how  fortunate  he  was  to  have  white  blood  in 
his  veins,  although  he  was  not  entirely  free  from 
suspicion.  The  Negro,  as  usual,  stuck  out  in  his 
hair.  It  would  not  require  a  microscope  to  detect 
it.  One  would  have  to  understand  Negro  physiology 
well  to  notice  it.  The  landlady  asked  my  friend 
where  I  was  from.  He  told  her  from  Washing 
ton.  She  asked  him  if  I  was  a  free  Negro. 
To  carry  the  joke  out,  he  told  her  that  I  belonged 
to  his  father. 

The  next  day,  the  landlady  called  me  over 
and  cordially  invited  me  in,  which  I  thought 
very  strange  from  the  previous  reception  I  had 
received.  This,  I  found  out,  was  on  account  of  my 
belonging  to  William's  father.  She  asked  me  many 
questions.  Among  others,  if  his  father  was  wealthy. 
I  answered  in  the  affirmative.  She  then  asked  me 
what  he  was.  "  Why,77  said  I,  "  he  is  a  man." 
"No/'  she  said,  "I  don't  mean  that.  Is  he  an 
American  ?"  I  said :  "  Madam,  he  is  part  Moligascar, 
part  English,  part  French,  and  part  Irish."  "  Why, 
dear  me  !"  said  she,  "  how  c:.n  that  be  ?"  "  Well," 
said  I,  "  Madam,  it  takes  a  good  many  ingredients 
to  make  a  man.  "  That's  so,"  said  she.  "  It  has 


MY  TRIP  TO   BALTIMORE.  145 

been  whispered  around  here  that  he  had  Negro 
blood  in  him."  "  No,  Madam,"  said  I.  "  I  am  glad 
to  hear  it,"  said  she,  "  I  can  stand  anything  but 
that.  He  is  a  nice  gentleman,  is  he  not?"  Of 
course  I  said  "  Yes,"  without  reflecting  that  he  was 
a  Nigger. 

I  concluded  to  be  half  white  was  an  advantage, 
and  I  desired  to  get  amalgamated,  if  possible.  I 
asked  my  friend  where  that  family  was  from.  He 
said  New  York.  We  had  a  hearty  laugh  over  it. 

The  next  morning  I  parted  with  him,  and  did  not 
betray  his  secret,  which  added  greatly  to  his  suc 
cess.  I  started  on  my  journey  about  noon.  The 
same  day  I  rode  up  to  a  hotel  for  dinner,  kept  by 
one  Henry  Weston.  He  was  seated  on  the  porch. 
I  asked  him  if  I  could  get  dinner  and  have  my 
horse  fed.  "  Certainly,"  he  replied,  and  he  called 
the  hostler  to  take  care  of  my  horse.  I  saw  at  a 
glance  that  he  was  a  gentleman. 

The  servant-woman  was  not  long  in  preparing 
dinner,  as  there  were  several  others  waiting.  In  a 
few  minutes,  the  dinner-bell  rang.  I  did  not  rush 
in  with  the  others.  He  came  out  and  told  me  to  walk 
in  the  dining-room  and  get  dinner.  I  entered  and 
found  a  table  spread  with  the  very  best  to  sus 
tain  the  inner-man.  After  dinner,  he  passed  cigars 
around,  myself  not  excluded. 

I  was  wonderfully  struck  at  receiving  such  treat 
ment.  I  then  asked  him  for  my  bill.  "  Not  a  cent," 
said  he.  "  Well !  well !"  said  I  to  myself,  "  how  ils 
this?"  I  thanked  him  kindly.  He  ordered  my 
horse  to  be  brought  up,  and  in  a  little  while  the 
hostler  had  him  at  the  door.  I  put  a  dollar  in  his 
hand.  He  thanked  me  a  dozen  times.  I  then  had 
the  curiosity  to  know  where  this  gentleman  was 


146  MY  TRIP  TO   BALTIMORE. 

raised.  He  told  me  in  Maryland.  I  bade  him 
good  day,  and  started  off. 

The  next  house  I  made  was  about  dark.  I  saw 
a  man  unhitching  a  horse  from  a  buggy.  I  spoke 
to  him  as  politely  as  I  knew  how,  and  he  did  not 
even  as  much  as  look  at  me.  I  asked  him  if  I  could 
get  supper  and  shelter  for  my  horse  for  the  night. 
He  said,  very  grumly:  "Take  him  to  the  barn — 
give  him  a  gallon  of  oats,  and  go  around  to  the 
kitchen  and  ask  my  wife  for  supper."  His  order  I 
obeyed  of  course.  I  attributed  the  indifference 
with  which  he  treated  me  owing  to  my  not  being 
half  white.  I  then  determined,  if  possible,  to  get 
amalgamated,  thinking  it  would  be  of  great  advan 
tage  to  me.  I  entered  the  kitchen,  spoke  to  the 
lady  and  told  her  that  I  wished  supper.  She 
scarcely  grunted  when  I  spoke  to  her,  and,  while 
preparing  the  supper,  she  seemed  to  eye  mo  with 
jealousy.  I  felt  very  uncomfortably  situated.  The 
supperw  as  soon  prepared  and  placed  upon  a  ta 
ble,  which  looked  as  though  it  had  neither  water  or 
soap  applied  to  it  for  a  year. 

By  the  time  I  got  through  supper,  her  husband 
came  in.  He  asked  me  where  I  was  from,  and 
where  I  was  going.  During  all  this  time,  the  land 
lady  had  not  spoken  a  half  dozen  words  to  me.  I 
told  him  that  I  was  from  Washington,  and  on  ray 
way  to  Baltimore.  I  then  asked  him  a  few  ques 
tions,  which  he  answered  very  readily.  His  wife 
a^ked  me  if  there  were  many  Negroes  in  Washing 
ton.  I  told  her  there  were  a  good  many.  She  re 
marked  where  she  came  from,  there  were  very 
few,  and  they  were  the  biggest  thieves  that  ever 
lived.  I  asked  her  where  she  was  from.  She  said 
the  State  of  Indiana. 


MY  TRIP   TO   BALTIMORE.  147 

I  concluded  that  the  treatment  I  had  received 
was   not  owing  to   my  being  black,  but  it  was   on 
account  of  those  thieving  Negroes   in  Indiana.     I 
then   said:    "  Madam,   there   are   exceptions.    All 
Negroes   are  not  alike."     She  replied:   "I  never 
saw  one  that  was  worth  his  salt,  or  had  the  energy 
and  enterprise  to  conduct  any  business,  except  one, 
and  he  soon  played  himself  out."     I  asked  her  how 
that  was.      She  said  :    "  He  was   a  middling  fair 
scholar,  lived  in  good  style  and  dressed  well.     Con 
sequently,   the  whites  decided    not    to    patronize 
him."     I  said:  "  Madam,  it  is  difficult  for  colored 
men  to  succeed  in  business,  especially  in  communi 
ties  where  they  have  *  Nigger  on  the  brain/  unless* 
he  is  humble  in  the  extreme,  and  has  a  grin  for 
everybody.     With  man)7,  he  must  forget  that  he  is 
a  man,  to  succeed,"     She  said:  "  I  don't  think  it;  if 
Negroes  behave  themselves  they  will  be  sustained." 
I  said:  "  Madam,  that  rule  don't  always  work.    Did 
this  man,  of  whom  you  just  speak,  misbehave  ?    Was 
he  disposed  to  be  discourteous  to  his  friends  and 
patrons?"     She  said:  "No;  he  did  not;  but  some 
thought  he  was  inclined  to  feel  rather  pompous; 
for   this   reason   they  declined   to   patronize  him. 
Where  I  came  from,  you  know,  if  one  gets  down  on 
a  Nigger  they  all  go  against  him."     I  told  her  it 
was  very  different  where  I  came  from,  if  a  colored 
man  was  honest  and  upright,  he  invariably  found 
friends  who  were  willing   to  aid  and  assist  him  in 
business.     After  all,  I  concluded  that  she  did  not 
understand  as  much  about  the  ingredients  the  Ne 
gro  is  composed  of  as  the  milk-woman  at  Bladens- 
burg. 

Feeling  rather  uncomfortable  I  expressed  a  wish 
to  retire.     I  was  shown  to  a  loft  over  the  kitchen 


148  MY  TRIP  TO  BALTIMORE. 

and  had  to  ascend  it  by  a  ladder.  It  looked  more 
like  a  chicken-roost  than  anything  else  I  could  com 
pare  it  to.  The  bed  contained  about  as  much 
straw  as  would  make  a  hen's  nest,  without  sheets 
or  pillows.  Of  course,  I  slept  a  little  during  the 
night,  and  studied  how  I  should  get  even  for  the 
treatment  I  had  received.  I  decided  to  get  up 
early  in  the  morning.  Which  I  did,  taking  with 
me  from  the  bed  one  of  the  best  blankets,  put  it 
under  my  saddle,  and  gave  my  horse  all  the  oats  he 
could  eat.  I  then  ate  all  that  I  could  possibly  con 
tain. 

This  was  the  only  redress  I  could  get.  I  paid 
my  bill  and  by  three  o'clock  that  afternoon  arrived 
in  Baltimore  City,  and  was  again  free  from  those 
perplexities  so  common  to  colored  men.  And  I 
trust  that  if  they  are  yet  living  they  have  a 
better  opinion  of  Negro  honesty.  Should  they 
again  come  in  contact  with  Negroes,  I  hope  they 
will  treat  them  better. 


C  E  N  T  R  A  L  • 

PACIFIC     RAILROAD. 


We  are,  perhaps,  justified  in  speaking  of  the 
great  achievement  of  the  age — the  Pacific  Rail 
road — its  undertaking  and  completion — the  ad 
verse  and  trying  circumstances.  Its  success  is  due 

to    ex-Governor  Stanford,  Hopkins,  Charles 

Crocker,  combined  with  the  united  efforts  of  many 
people  of  the  Pacific  Coast  and  the  Congress  of  the 
United  States.  Many  regarded  the  project  to  be 
an  impossibility.  Those  noble  fathers  of  the  enter 
prise  despaired  not,  though  often  pressed  to  ex 
tremes  for  means.  Perplexed  with  difficulties  on 
every  side,  they  went  forward  making  the  hilly 
ways  level  and  the  rough  smooth.  They  split 
the  rugged  mountains,  lifted  the  watery  val 
leys,  and  opened  a  highway  that  had  been  closed 
since  creation's  morn  until  victory  crowned  their 
success.  The  iron  horse  can  be  seen  darting 
to  and  fro  with  lightning  speed,  defying  the  moun 
tain  giants  to  check  its  onward  course.  A  won 
derful  enterprise  !  Glorious  results  will  emanate 
from  the  bands  that  hold  California  and  the 
Atlantic  States  in  their  iron  grasp.  The  emigra 
tion  induced  by  quick  transportation  to  this 
coast  will  be  of  great,  advantage  to  California. 
She  must  seek  to  hold  her  own  against  Eastern 
trade,  and  cope  in  every  pursuit  of  industry.  Her 

A 


150  CENTRAL  PACIFIC   RAILROAD. 

agricultural  lands,  her  new  and  rising  manufacto 
ries,  her  hardy  and  enterprising  citizens,  unite  to 
make  her  still  the  Queen  of  the  States  in  this 
Union. 

"  Honor  to  whom  honor  is  due." 

*  Of  Elko,  I  shall  not  say  much  for  or  against,  as 
a  nobleman  once  said  about  America.  I  use  the  same 
language  in  reference  to  Elko.  "  She  is  a  giantess 
without  bones."  The  time  may  come  when  she  will 
be  classed  among  the  leading  cities  of  this  State. 
There  is  a  wonderful  scope  left  for  improvement. 
In  speaking  of  her  citizens,  they  are  not  excelled 
by  any  class  on  this  coast. 


IDAHO    CITY, 

ITS    CUSTOMS    AND    FUTURE    PEOSPECTS. 


Idaho  City  is  a  noted  mountain  town,  situated  in 
a  basin.  Its  citizens  are  liberal  and  generous- 
The  mines  are  inexhaustible.  The  future  prospects 
of  the  city  are  flattering.  We  expect  it  to  become 
the  terminus  of  every  railroad  in  the  Territory  as 
well  as  the  emporium  of  the  North.  Why  the  Ter 
ritorial  Fathers  don't  introduce  gas-lights  in  the 
city  is  really  astonishing.  Property  is  advancing 
in  value  daily.  The  lumbermen  are  the  chief  bene 
factors  of  the  city.  Conflagrations  lay  it  waste 
about  once  a  year.  We  can  stand  it!  Every  prop 
erty-holder  is  able  to  rebuild  and  meet  his  demands 
promptly.  They  seldom  allow  a  bill  to  be  present 
ed  the  second  time.  The  pioneers  of  the  country 
have  amassed  large  fortunes  and  retired  from  busi 
ness.  Merchants  keep  up  the  old  customs  of  former 
days.  They  never  fail  to  present  their  bill  on 
Monday  morning  with  a  pleasant  smile.  If  not 
paid,  their  countenances  change.  Miners  are 
exceptions.  They  are  all  honorable,  and  will  have 
plenty  of  cash  when  the  birds  sing  and  the  waters 
run.  Clerks,  by  strict  economy,  may  soon  be  able 
to  buy  out  their  employers.  Saloon  keepers  do  an 
extensive  business,  especially  in  the  Winter.  They 
have  lots  of  stove  customers,  who  seldom  make 
room  for  others,  or  spend  a  dime.  It  don't  cost 


152  IDAHO    CITY. 

anything  to  run  a  saloon  in  the  Winter  !  Butchers 
and  bakers  know  not  the  want  of  money.  Your 
patronage  is  solicited  by  all  business  men  if  you 
have  cash  and  ask  no  credit ! 

We  have  an  institution  called  the  "  Cold-water 
Tank."  All  of  'em  are  joining  it,  'cept  de  Niggers; 
they  can  fill  their  kegs  until  it  runs  out  of  their 
eyes.  They  are  of  no  use  to  the  community,  and 
the  sooner  whiskey  kills  'em,  the  better. 

Barbers  are  a  fine  set  of  fellows;  they  never  con 
descend  to  speak  disparagingly  of  each  other.  They 
are  all  finished  workmen,  and  have  received  the  Ton- 
sorial  Diploma.  Some  of  them  are  a  little  selfish,  and 
claim  to  do  better  work  than  any  one  else,  and  of 
course  they  know  it  all,  because  they  have  had  a 
better  opportunity  of  receiving  a  finished  education 
than  some  others;  consequently  they  are  better  than 
others  and  are  ready  to  condemn  their  efforts^  but 
do  but  little  themselves. 


PROGRESS   OF  AMERICA. 
Bancroft  Librarf 

This  nation  is  one  of  the  greatest  that  inhabits 
the  globe.  Her  growth  has  been  rapid.  Indeed  > 
she  is  a  mammoth  for  her  age.  In  science  and 
literature  she  is  not  excelled.  Her  commerce 
whitens  every  sea.  Her  forts  look  out  from 
every  available  point.  Her  sentinel?,  with  glitter 
ing  bayonets,  guard  well  her  interests.  Her  terri 
tories  are  boundless  in  extent.  Her  fertile  valleys 
invite  the  industrious  husbandman  to  become  her 
companion.  Her  minerals  are  inexhaustible  and 
illitimatc.  The  iron  horse  darts  through  every  pro 
ductive  valley,  breathing  fire  at  every  revolution. 
Fler  wildernesses,  which  were  the  abode  of  wild 
beasts  and  the  Indian's  wigwam,  have  now  become 
large  and  populous  cities.  Civilization  is  spread 
ing  her  benign  influence  far  and  wide.  The 
heathen  worship  at  her  altars,  and  exclaim  : 
"  Wonderful  are  thy  beauties."  Our  steamboats 
and  crafts  float  upon  every  navigable  stream.  The 
finny  tribe  sport  in  countless  thousands  in  our 
river.-,  lakes  and  seas.  Our  statesmen  are  learned 
and  sagacious.  Qur  iron-clads  are  almost  as  im 
pregnable  as  the  Rocks  of  Gibraltar:  our  navy 
is  not  equaled  for  improved  weapons  of  war.  This 
government  is  advancing,  step  by  step,  to  the 
grandeur  and  glory  of  greatness. 

The  spirit  of  the   heroes  of  1776  is   still  kept 
alive.     The  words  of  the  immortal  Patrick  Henry 


15:1  PROGRESS  OP  AMERICA. 

will  live  until  this  great  nation  is  extinct.  When 
preparing  a  crusade  against  British  tyranny,  he 
said :  "  Give  me  liberty  or  give  me  death." 

May  this  Republic  forever  be  "the  land  of  the 
free  and  the  home  of  the  brave." 

The  immortal  Washington  wrote  his  fame  upon 
the  great  ledger  of  time  with  his  sword  in  that 
memorable  struggle 

The  hero  of  the  battle  of  New  Orleans  still  lives  in 
the  hearts  of  his  countrymen.  He  was  a  statesman, 
a  soldier  and  a  patriot,  and  died  in  the  arms  of  the 
nation. 

Crispus  Attucks,*  the  first  who  offered  his 
life  a  sacrifice  to  American  liberty,  ig  numbered 
among  the  heroes  of  1776. 

The  teachings  of  that  great  and  good  man,  Daniel 
O'Connell — a  British  subject — upon  the  altar  of 
whose  heart  the  fires  of  liberty  burned,  advocated 
the  freedom  of  all  men,  regardless  of  nationality,, 
creed  or  color. 

*  Crispus  Attucks,  a  colored  man,  was  the  first  that  fell  upon 
the  plains  of  Boston,  in  the  battle  of  April  5th,  1770, 


BOISE     CITY. 


We  shall  not  attempt  to  give  a  graphic  descrip 
tion  of  the  place.  It  is  a  neat  little  burg,  situated 
in  a  beautiful  and  fertile  valley,  and  is  the  capital 
of  Idaho  Territory.  It  contains  many  permanent 
buildings,  including  neat  and  handsome  cot 
tages.  It  being  a  central  point,  it  has  many  advan 
tages  over  its  sister  towns.  It  contains  a  population 
ranging  from  nine  to  twelve  hundred  inhabitants. 
Many  of  its  citizens  are  afflicted  with  the  terrible 
disease  of  Negrophobia.  The  very  air  seems  to  be 
pregnated  with  this  disease,  A  respectable  col 
ored  man-  can  scarcely  get  accommodations  at  any 
of  the  hotels  or  restaurants.  I  was  compelled,  on 
my  way  from  Idaho  City  to  Silver  City,  to  lay  over 
from  five  P.M.  until  two  A.M.  the  following  morning. 
A  few  moments  before  the  stage  started  for  Silver 
City,  I  was  invited  by  a  swarthy,  but  generous-look 
ing  Spaniard,  to  take  a  cigar.  We  started  down  the 
street.  The  most  of  the  saloons  at  this  unseasonable 
hour  being  closed,  my  companion  saw  a  light  in  a 
saloon  kept  by  Mr.  J.  Old.  We  entered  and  called 
for  what  we  wanted.  The  polite  and  accommodating 
Mr.  Old  bent  over  the  counter  and  said,  in  a  low 
tone  of  voice:  "  Better,  I  cannot  accommodate 
you."  I  regarded  it  as  a  polite  insult,  and  walked 
out.  He  was  the  last  man  I  expected  that  would 
treat  me  thus.  Had  I  approached  him  with  my 


156  BOISE    CITY. 

hat  in  my  hand,  trembling  like  a  quarry  slave,  I 
have  no  doubt  this  proud  Saxon  would  have  accom 
modated  me.  I  have  seen  many  like  Mr.  Old  come 
to  naught,  and  who  would  gladly  accept  a  favor, 
though  extended  by  a  Negro.  I  have  lived  in  moun 
tain  towns  where  the  lowest  and  basest  females, 
white  and  colored,  could  be  served  with  meals.  If 
a  respectable  colored  man  desired  a  meal,  the  land 
lord  would  politely  invite  him  to  be  seated  in  the 
kitchen.  I  ever  have  an  1  ever  will  take  issue 
against  any  such  treatment.  In  my  travels 
wherever  I  have  met  gentlemen,  they  have  always 
treated  me  as  a  man,  and  not  as  a  thing.  The 
rough  usages  and  insults  that  colored  men  receive, 
invariably  come  from  that  class  of  whites  who  have 
little  to  recommend  them  outside  of  a  white  skin. 
Were  I  to  say  that  there  are  no  good  feeling  men 
in  Boise  City,  I  would  be  doing  an  injustice,  to 
many.  I  appreciate  my  friends.  I  never  can  con 
descend  to  lick  the  hand  that  smites  me,  nor  respect 
the  man  that  insults  me. 


GIVE  THE  NEGRO  A  CHANCE 


The  white  man  still  clings  to  his  prejudices  against 
the  colored  race.  It  is  difficult  for  a  Negro  to  hire 
a  pew  in  a  church  where  the  white  Christian  wor 
ships,  however  respectable  he  may  be.  They  never 
crowd  you  in  cars  if  they  notice  your  skin  is  dark. 
None  are  considered  ladies  or  gentlemen  through 
whose  veins  flow  African  blood.  Such  are  the  preju 
dices  and  education  of  many  Americans.  I  remem 
ber,  when  traveling  between  this  city  and  Sacra 
mento,  colored  people  however  genteel,  were 
compelled  to  share  the  deck  with  the  horned  cattle. 
A  colored  man  travelling  by  stage,  was  compelled 
to  wait  until  every  passenger  was  aboard.  If 
there  was  no  room  inside,  he  was  ordered  to  the 
top  or  in  the  boot,  as  live  baggage.  How  often 
the  Negro  has  been  hunted  down  in  the  broad  sun 
light  of  day,  assassinated  and  murdered,  and  the 
assassin  permitted  to  go  unpunished,  because  his 
victim  was  as  powerless  as  he  was  innocent.  Having 
ing  no  rights,  a  white  was  compelled  to  respect, 
even  in  the  free  State  of  California,  strong  was 
the  prevailing  element.  We  have  lived  to  see  a 
higher  state  of  civilization,  and  rejoice  in  its 
progress.  We  love  the  land  that  gave  us 
birth,  and  all  we  ask  of  the  white  man  is  to  give 
us  an  even  chance  in  the  great  race  of  life.  If  you 


158  GIVE  THE  NEGRO  A  CHANCE. 

need  a  man  to  perform  labor,  and  the  Negro  is 
competent  and  trustworthy,  give  him  work.  Don't 
deny  him  his  bread,  because  he  has  a  dark  skin. 
Give  him  the  same  wages  you  give  the  white  man 
We  are  natives  of  the  soil.  We  were  with  you 
when  the  corner-stone  of  this  Republic  was  laid. 
We  claim  your  consideration  and  aid.  Close  not 
against  us  the  door  of  industry.  Help  us  to  rise 
from  the  pit  of  degradation.  Help  us  to  go  for 
ward  in  the  pathway  that  leads  to  grandeur  and 
greatness.  Our  race  have  given  their  life-blood  in 
every  struggle  this  country  has  had,  and  have  fallen 
side  by  side  with  the  Saxon  :  White  men  1  conquer 
your  prejudices. 


UNCLE    JOE. 


In  the  County  of  Anne  Arundel  resided  an  old 
Negro  who  had  laid  down  the  shovel  and  the  hoe. 
He  belonged  to  Samuel  Bell,  a  large  planter.  His 
name  was  Joe.  He  said  his  legs  refused  to  discharge 
their  duty;  consequently,  he  could  not  walk.  He 
was  left  in  charge  of  the  Negro  quarters.  His  com 
rades  became  suspicious  of  his  sincerity  with  refer 
ence  to  his  lameness.  They  concluded  to  see  if  there 
was  any  virtue  in  his  legs. 

The  Negroes  on  the  adjoining  plantation  gave  a 
party,  as  was  customary  among  plantation  Negroes, 
every  Saturday  evening.  Joe  was  among  the  invited 
guests.  He  said:  "You  know  I'd  like  to  go  dar, 
childens,  but  I  can't  walk."  Two  of  his  associates 
agreed  to  pack  him  by  turns.  He  readily  accepted 
their  generous  proposition.  They  went  out  and 
held  a  consultation.  After  a  while  they  finally 
agreed  upon  a  plan,  that  an  individual  should  be 
placed  at  the  graveyard  on  their  return  to  act  the 
ghost.  They  went  to  the  entertainment  and  packed 
Uncle  Joe.  When  the  exercises  of  the  evening 
closed,  they  shouldered  Uncle  Joe,  and  started  for 
home.  Joe  seemed  highly  delighted  with  the  even* 
ing's  pleasure.  Pete,  just  before  coming  to  the 
grave-yard,  offered  to  relieve  Jack  of  his  burden. 
He  was  an  athletic  Negro.  Joe  readily  agreed 
to  be  transferred  to  Pete's  care.  As  they  came  up 


160  tTNCLE  JOE. 

to  the  corner  of  the  graveyard,  the  would-be  ghost 
raised  up.  Pete,  as  though  frightened  out  of  his 
wits,  threw  Uncle  Joe  on  the  ground  hard  enough  to 
kill  an  ordinary  Negro,  and  ran  at  trie  top  of  his 
speed,  leaving  poor  Joe  at  the  mercy  of  the  ghost. 
But  Joe  soon  sprang  to  his  feet  and  made  the  best 
time  on  record.  He  passed  his  companions* 
When  they  arrived  home  he  was  comfortably  seated 
at  the  fire.  They  asked  him  how  it  was  that  he  made 
such  good  time.  "  Ah,  childens,  couldn't  lay  down 
dar  wid  dat  ghost  looking  nie  in  de  eyes". 


